Thursday, December 13, 2007
Barron County Courthouse Auditorium

1. Chairman Toby Paone called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Twenty-three people were present.

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

3. Clarice Fall gave the Treasurer’s report. November’s balance was $1,634.31. Expenses totaled $67.01, and deposits totaled $298.50, bringing an ending balance of $1,865.80. The report was passed unanimously.

4. Members introduced themselves, including State Representative Mary Hubler and Register of Deeds Joyce Kaseno.

5. Officeholders: Mary Hubler briefed members on the status of the constitutional amendment anning the “Frankenstein veto,” video competition bill, “Compassionate Care” bill, smoking ban, phosphorus bill and campaign finance reform.

Hubler talked about Democratic Assembly prospects in 2008, saying that it will be tough to hold seats that haven’t been Democratic for almost a century and hold a majority together. “We need to get to about 60 for a strong majority . . . 50 would be great . . . it would be enough to stop the bad bills” from coming through.

Registrar of Deeds Joyce Kaseno reported that her office is up to speed and she is pleased withher staff. She will be running for a 4- rather than 2-year term this coming year.

6. Toby gave the Chair’s report

a. Dave Obey: Thanks to the congressman for his visit to Barron County. About 40 people were present for his book reading, and the section he read was terrific.
b. Jason Rae: Toby read a written thanks from Jason for having paid his way to the Advanced Democratic Leadership Institute.
c. Voter Activation Network (VAN) agreement with DPW: BCDP has signed an agreement with the DPW to use their common voter file. We may use it during the campaign and update it real-time, although they own the data. There will be a training in Phillips January 26 from 10 to 2 at the technical college. Toby will carpool with others interested in learning more about the database, which is key to getting out the vote in 2008.
d. Committees: There were no committee reports.
e. Meeting place: The next year’s meetings will all be in Barron for now. The schedule is subject to change.
f. Feingold steering committee: Paula Zellner wants the steering committee meeting to help get Louis Butler re-elected. BCDP should be able to combine this with a party event.

7. Third branch judgeship: Jim McLaughlin passed out nomination papers and spoke about his campaign, which would be one of ideas, among them, alternative methods for dispute resolution. He announced the formation of a steering committee for his election,

8. Officer elections: Nominations were for Toby Paone, Chair, Cecil Kippenhan, Vice Chair, Clarice Fall, Treasurer, and no nominee for Secretary. All passed unanimously. The Secretary officer will be chosen at a later time.

9. Clean Elections Conduit: Jim Heerey announced that it meets the same day as the Barron County Democratic Party. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Barron County courthouse, preceding the general party meeting. He filed a copy of the conduit’s by-laws with the party.

10. Food shelf: Members voted to send December’s donation to Chetek. The party received a note of thanks from Prairie Farm for November.

11. The Barron County Democrats meet next on Thursday, January 17th, at the Barron Courthouse auditorium at 7:00 p.m.

12. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lizbeth Ager
Secretary