Thursday, May 17, 2007
B arron County Courthouse, Room 2151

1. Chairman Toby Paone called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Twenty-six people were present.

2. Beth Ager gave the Secretary’s report. The minutes were passed after correcting the beginning September treasury balance to $1,505.00, and changing the date of Toby Paone’s Washington trip from January to November. The minutes were passed as corrected.

3. Clarice Fall gave the Treasurer’s report. October’s balance was $1,592.31. There were no expenses, and box donations totaled $42.00, bringing an ending balance of $1,634.31. The report was passed unanimously.

4. Members introduced themselves.

5. Members welcomed Judge Tim Doyle, who introduced himself, spoke about his new position as circuit court judge and answered members’ questions. He explained how busy the two branches were, and how Barron County’s families’ needs had expanded over the past 35 years, and how a third branch is appropriate. “I’m all for it. There is plenty of work here in Barron County for three judges.” The cost of a third branch is not all that great. Members discussed the spring election.

Old business

6. Toby gave the Chair’s report:

a. SiCKO: An amazing variety of people—approximately 70—came to view Michael Moore’s movie last month. Many thanks go to everyone who helped make the event a success, including our co-sponsor, the Barron County Farmers’ Union.

b. Dave Obey: Toby described his recent Washington visit to Dave Obey, whose office is just off the floor of the House. Obey just delivered a powerful condemnation of the latest Bush budget to the National Press club November 5th [link transcript & video].

c. Obey will be having a book signing: in Barron County December 8th. From 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

d. Jason Rae ADLI training: BCDP and DNC member Jason Rae requested $100 registration fee for the Advanced Democratic Leadership Institute.

Cecil Kippenhan made a motion to grant Jason Rae the $100 tuition. Dee Taylor seconded. Motion passed.

e. Committee reports: No committee had a report, save the health care committee, which would present a conduit proposal under “new business.”

f. Meeting area: BCDP traditionally meets in Rice Lake every other month at the public library, but the usual room has been pre-empted by a library activity until next summer. The consensus was to investigate using the Osprey Room in the UW Barron County campus student center in 2008. Beth Ager will investigate and report her findings.

7. Sunshine report: Edith Olson sent a plant on behalf of the party to Dee Taylor and her family on the death of John. In return, Dee sent a heartfelt card to the party.

New Business

8. The City of Cumberland is seeking poll workers for their elections and requesting resident volunteers from the party.

9. Speaking for the ad hoc committee on health care, Fred Bannister presented a proposal to start a “clean money elections conduit” type of campaign contribution system as a way for members to donate money to progressive candidates who pledge not to take special interest money. In the absence of good campaign finance reform law, this is a way for ordinary people to begin to make their will known. Discussion ranged from the advantages of such a system to its permissibility, given state elections board rules. The consensus was that the conduit is a terrific idea, and that it needs to be administered as an entity separate from the party itself.

Cecil Kippenhan made a motion to table the proposal for consideration at a later time. Betty Vogel seconded. The motion passed 14 to 6 by a show of hands.

The chair asked for a show of hands from those who wished to resume discussion of the conduit at a later date and it was unanimous in favor of resumption.
10. Jim McLaughlin expressed interest in the third branch judgeship and asked the party for its support this spring.

11. Food shelf: Members voted to send November’s donation to Prairie Farm

12. The Barron County Democrats meet next on Thursday, December 13th, at the Barron Courthouse room 110 A & B at 7:00 p.m. We will be holding officer elections and having the traditional party.

13. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lizbeth Ager
Secretary