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Thursday,
January 18, 2007
Rice Lake Public Library
Chairman Toby Paone
called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Twenty-six people attended.
Beth Ager
read the Secretary’s
report. The minutes passed as read.
Clarice
Fall gave the Treasurer’s report. The ending balance for
December was $1,524.04. Expenses totaled$155.00 and deposits
totaled $104.00, leaving a balance for January of $1,473.04.
The report passed as read.
There
was no old business.
New
business:
Bob Levan expressed disappointment that the Rice Lake City Council
has discontinued bus service, something on which he and his
wife depend. He asked Democrats to take an active interest in
these kinds of decisions made by local officials, and to act
as advocates for the community’s needs.
Jim
Heerey made a motion to remove the Badger Care letter from the
table, Fred Bannister seconded. Members voted unanimously to
discuss the letter.
Heerey reread the letter, explaining that our elected officials
do need to hear from us about our needs. Discussion ensued about
the various health care plans presented by Gene and Linda Farley
and the AFL-CIO, the incrementalism of our elected officials,
and a possible health care forum, and/or dialogue with the current
state Secretary of Health and Human Services, in person.
Toby Paone made a motion amending the letter to include the
Farley and AFL-CIO plans and to send it to our other elected
officials. Fred Bannister seconded, and the motion passed.
Cecil Kippenhan motioned to have a meeting with the Wisconsin
Secretary of Health and Human Services at a time and place to
be announced in order to discuss health care reform with special
regard to cost containment and universality. Fred Bannister
seconded. Motion passed.
Toby Paone amended the motion to form an ad hoc committee of
five people, including the originator of the letter, to plan
the meeting with the secretary. Fred Bannister seconded. Amendment
passed.
Ralph Pitzrick brought up the race to elect justices to the
Wisconsin Supreme Court. The primary is on February 20th and
the election on April 3rd. Although the election is nonpartisan
and the party does not take a stance, members decided to have
the Secretary e-mail the membership with more information about
the race.
The
DPW convention falls on June 29–30th, at the Milwaukee
Hilton. It may be a great opportunity to get to know the presidential
candidates. Delegates may be able to carpool.
7th CD convention details are not out, yet, although it will
be late April or early May, in Wood County.
Chairman Paone spoke about his goals for the organization:
- Organize
a fundraiser this summer with the other officers as a team-building
opportunity.
- Continue
the party’s visibility efforts, at parades, events,
in papers and other local media. For example, newspaper PR
with each food pantry donation would be helpful.
- Provide
a community forum at meetings using guest speakers, but limiting
presentation time to 15–20 minutes, as well as requiring
the prior approval of the Chair.
- Help
elect a Democratic president in 2008. Members should keep
an eye on the prize, and by all means get involved in volunteering
for their favorite primary candidates.
There
were no officeholders to give report, and no sunshine report.
The food pantry donation went to Turtle Lake.
The Barron County Democrats meet next on February 15th in the
auditorium of the Barron County Courthouse, at 7:00, p.m.
At 8:40,
Jim Heerey made a motion to adjourn. Clarice Fall seconded.
Respectfully
submitted,
Lizbeth
Ager
Secretary |
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