Thursday, February 16, 2006
Barron County Courthouse

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

Vice Chair John Banks gave the Secretary’s report, and the minutes were approved as read.

Clarice Fall gave the Treasurer’s report. January's ending balance was $2,995.97. December's box donation was $64.00. Pat Kreitlow donated $60.00. Memberships totaled $230.00, donations came to $205.00, and the state co-pay totaled $17.50. Reimbursement of postage to Lizbeth Ager was $76.00, the state's election board filing fee was $100.00 and the DPW co-pay was $115.00, leaving an ending balance of $3,281.47.

Old business:
The 7th CD will be held at Rolling Oaks in Barron, on April 22nd. A list of delegates must be filed by the March deadline, and six people should be present in any case to work at convention tables. 13 people signed up as delegates, and 7 people volunteered as table workers.

Chairman Kippenhan summarized a typical convention agenda, and indicated a need for a committee to take care of convention details. Jerry Schlei, Communications Chair, stated that his committee had set aside time for helping with the 7th CD, including publicity, posters and small print jobs.

New business:
Jim Heerey and Fred Bannister have been arranging a candidates’ forum in southern Barron County for Pat Kreitlow and Roberta Rasmus on April 29th at the Sioux Creek Town Hall. According to Heerey, the forum was to remedy the lack of “political identity and politicking” in his district townships. Laying out a plan that included mailed invitations to each of the districts’ 1,215 voters in the 2004 primary, Heerey made a motion that the party provide $425.00 of the 475-dollar outlay for expenses. John Hardin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Heerey noted that the event’s date could be postponed, depending on candidate needs.

Fred Bannister offered a new health care resolution, based on a book that he’s written just now going to press, entitled Health Security America: fixing the health care crisis. The resolution calls for affordable health insurance from birth to death for everyone, free for children under nineteen. His book details the steps in setting up a citizen-governed system for Health Security America, including method of funding and eight rules for cutting administrative waste.

Bannister made a motion to adopt the resolution, and John Hardin seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

John Banks and Jerry Schlei, who had read the book, stated that it made sense and its plan is good.

Communications Committee report: Chairman Jerry Schlei summarized efforts to launch the neighborhood communicator network. While it has had mixed results, the committee hopes to have representatives in the far reaches of the county who can relay Democratic news. Schlei got a warm reception from a representative of the Maple Plains reservation. The tribe offered its new community center for our meetings, which the party would like to do in warmer weather.

Schlei also requested a meeting with the board about extending tasks to the general membership.

Steve Parliament will be heading a project to register voters this spring.

Officeholders’ reports:
Sheriff Richie will announce his candidacy at the end of March. He stated plans to run an aggressive campaign on positive changes, such as increased revenue and decreased crime rate.

Registrar of Deeds Joyce Kaseno reported a quick move to the new office. Having five in the office sped up the pace of work, and she is considering a fourth full-time employee. The office needs to back up documents by imaging—a long, expensive, but necessary project. Kaseno will file candidacy papers in early March.

Dar Ishmael asked if there was a way to present Health Security America to the 7th CD counties ahead of time, to bolster understanding and enthusiasm. Jerry Schlei added that friends and allies really can get things done. Bannister and others discussed ways to advance his ideas.

There was no sunshine report.

The food pantry donations went to the Maple Plains reservation.

Jerry Schlei reported a statistic from Dave Obey: through fiscal year 2007, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will have cost U.S. Taxpayers 449 billion dollars. And State Senator Bob Jauch has secured a grant for $250,000 that helps northwest Wisconsin counties with their methamphetamine abuse problem.

John Banks exhorted the group to work harder at encouraging good Democrats to run for office.

Maureen Conboy mentioned VETPAC, a list of 37 “fighting Democrats” running for House office.

The next meeting will be March 16, 2006, at the Rice Lake Library at 7:00 p.m.

At 8:20, Tom Richie made a motion to adjourn, seconded by John Hardin.

Respectfully submitted,

Lizbeth Ager
Secretary