Thursday, May 18, 2006
Rice Lake Public Library

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

Beth Ager read the Secretary’s report, which was approved as read.

Clarice Fall gave the Treasurer’s report showing a beginning balance for April of $3,735.41 and an ending balance of $5,585.44, in large part to proceeds from the 7th CD, its silent auction, and memberships and donation collected by Harold Lindemann and Maureen Conboy. The report was approved as read.

The group introduced themselves and welcomed newcomers Rebecca Kes, Johnny Schaffer and Noah Fulton.

Old business:

Jason Rae, member of the DNC, gave a report of the DNC spring meeting in New Orleans, which included time spent on helping area residents, and planning for the new primary and caucus schedule. Jason will be taking on several new Democratic roles this summer, including working for the Kohl campaign.

He reports that the U.S. Senate Dems are balking at working with the DNC on election issues.

Chairman Kippenhan thanked everyone who worked to make the 7th CD in Barron a success.

Jerry Schlei offered his suite at the Grandstay in La Crosse as a “war room” during the DPW convention.

HQ: Jerry Schlei presented another possibility, a storefront located in the mall on North Main in Rice Lake, next to the Army/Navy recruiters. It goes for $895/mo., plus telephone and internet for another $50. It would be rented from July 10th until November 10th.

Linda Thompson asked that the group examine its finances and weigh the options. It was established that Schlei would lend the business machines, and that Jauch, Obey and Hubler had offered funds toward the rental. The Chair noted that donations “poured in” in 2004.

Fred Bannister made a motion to empower Jerry Schlei and John Banks to examine the lease and possibly sign a rental agreement. Jason Rae seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Health care resolution: Fred Bannister noted that the resolution FR1 on health care, recently passed at the 7th CD, would be presented as is. He has asked the DPW to permit the Coalition for a Health-Secure America to have a booth at the convention, and petition Senator Kohl’s political office for a grant.

New business:

The fair booth is paid for. We need to apply to the state for insurance coverage.

Mary Hubler has given the party her nomination papers for members to circulate after June 1. Other candidates will soon distribute theirs.

Sunshine report: Treasurer Clarice Fall sent $25 to the scholarship fund set up in memory of Goveror Doyle’s mother, who died last month.

Communications Committee: Chair Jerry Schlei distributed information packets to members working in the neighborhood outreach project. He also had “Had Enough?” bumper stickers for sale. Schlei complimented the group on its good working relationship.

The Communications Committee and the Executive Committee will have a joint meeting at Maureen Conboy’s clubhouse in Rice Lake Tuesday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the canvassing ahead.

Officeholder’s report: Reg. of Deeds Joyce Kaseno reports that her inherited backlog is gone, and she is ready to declare her candidacy.

Candidates’ report: John Postle’s campaign is going well. They have T-shirts, are working on signs and raising funds.

The food pantry items will go to Prairie Farm.

John Postle, Jerry Schlei, Harold Lindemann and Cecil Kippenhan will visit more with the people of Maple Plains and schedule a future meeting in their facility. [Party members later decided not to make the trip with candidate Postle, because it could be construed as a partisan expression. The party is officially neutral about its contestants in the primaries. It was moved at the 6/15/06 party meeting to make this amendment to the minutes. ba, 6-15-06]

The next meeting will be on June 15th in the Barron County Courthouse auditorium.

John Banks made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lizbeth Ager
Secretary