SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
 Minutes of the meeting of  March 1, 2001

1.  CALL TO ORDER

    The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Preminger at 7:11 P.M.

2.  ROLL CALL

    Absent were: Tony ALexander, Ron Lind, Peter Chiu, Sal Alvarez, Larry Carr, Gene Wagner, Rebecca Cohn, Byron Sher, John Vasconcellos, Anselmo Chavez, Pete Stark, and Anna Eshoo.
    Excused were: Jewelle Gibbs, Jim Thurber, Andrea Leiderman, Liz McDavit, and Madge Overhouse.

3.  IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS

4.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

    The proposed agenda was modified to move the PLAN presentation forward and to add a discussion of resolutions concerning the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, the death penalty, and a proposal for further investigation of former Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush.  The modified agenda was approved.

5.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES    (Minutes are posted on  www.scc-democrats.org)

    David Cohen moved to approve the minutes as posted.  The motion passed by voice vote.

6.  SPECIAL REPORT FROM PEOPLE FOR LIVABLE AFFORDABLE NEIGHBORHOODS

    Three representatives, Barry Bolton, Denise Dade, and Ernest Goitein, of PLAN presented reports on and urged the Committee to oppose the planned expansion of Cisco Systems into the northern Coyote Valley.  A brief synopsis follows.

The CDP Platform, on page 13, states that the Party ...(bold added):
    "Community and Regional Planning. Supports comprehensive regional planning to more effectively manage the pressing issues of air quality , solid waste, transportation, and land use as a necessary step to protect open spaces, agricultural lands, park lands, watersheds and other environmental areas that cross city , county , state and national boundaries.
    "Supports sustainable development practices and improved plans that acknowledge the link between transportation and land use patterns. Such planning should seek to shape cities and towns into more compact pedestrian oriented livable communities, including greenbelts, with a mix of jobs, housing services, and public transit within walking distance of one another.
    "Prevent suburban sprawl from invading agricultural lands and encroaching on cultural resources. Encourages commercial development in the existing downtown areas. Decrease the dependence of local governments on sales tax revenue, a leading cause of sprawl-inducing regional mall development, by providing a stable source of revenue for local governments."
    On page 25, it states in the Sustainable Communities Plank that "The issues of global warming, continuing urban/suburban sprawl, and environmental injustice demand that we move to a more sensible life-style."
    On page 26, the Platform states "Maximize land use rather than permit urban and suburban sprawl to spread to agricultural lands. Centralize businesses and housing, enhance existing infrastructures, reclaim and redevelop old abandoned buildings, and construct accessible housing for those with disabilities and low incomes. "

PLAN urges you to support sensible development, not Cisco's proposed plan for sprawl in Coyote Valley.  PLAN urges the SCC Democratic Central Committee to support the CDP Platform and support PLAN! Thank you.

UPDATE - MARCH 1, 2001

BACKGROUND
    On October 14, 2000 the San Jose City Council approved a number of resolutions and ordinances approving a massive development in Northern Coyote Valley to accommodate Cisco corporation's industrial park.
    On November 13, 2000 PLAN initiated a referendum petition to overturn a critical resolution passed by the City Council in order to stop the development in Coyote Valley.
    The referendum process, guaranteed in the California Constitution, allows the voters to decide issues that have gathered sufficient signatures to qualify for a referendum.
    PLAN obtained 54,000 signatures in 25 days. The Santa Clara County Registrar, based on a 3% sampling procedure certified that over 40,000 valid signatures had been obtained. 30,684 valid signatures are required to qualify the referendum for a ballot. Clearly the voters of San Jose wanted to have an opportunity to let the people vote. A major project of this magnitude should not be left to politicians who are vulnerable to moneyed interests.
    On January 16, 2001, the City Council refused to set an election date as required by the elections code. The reason given, was that the referendum dealt with administrative issues and not legislative issues. The developers even claimed that if the referendum would be successful, the project could still proceed.

CURRENT STATUS
    PLAN filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court on January 31, 2001.
Decades of California case law unequivocally establish both the patent legality of PLAN's referendum and the manifest illegality of the City Council's attempt to usurp the judiciary function by deciding this issue by itself instead of the courts.
    In the meantime other lawsuits have been filed challenging the adequacy of the EIR. Santa Cruz County , Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Salinas, the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society are petitioners in this litigation.
    PLAN expects to prevail in the courts. The City Council will then be required to set an election date at least 88 days after that City Council meeting. To save tax payer funds, it would make sense if San Jose were to choose a date when other county elections are held, either in November 2001, or June 2002.

   The PLAN representatives presented additional information and statistics in opposition to the Cisco expansion.

7.  REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS

A.  Executive Board:  Herb Engstrom.

B.  Chair: Steve Preminger.

    If you know Democrats who were interested in learning more about the Party and/ or wanted to become more active, especially in this age of a Republican President, please have them contact me.  I got a call from a TV station that wanted to interview me about my views on Arnold Schwarzeneggar running for governor.

C.  Vice Chair: Tom Cochran.

    No report.

D.  Treasurer: Dennis Chiu.

    No report.

E.  Secretary:  Herb Engstrom.

    At the Executive Board meeting we discussed attendance at these CC meetings.  Section II.B of the bylaws reads as follows:

II.B.  Elected Members may be removed from office, pursuant to the laws of the State of California, if not present in person or through representation by the duly appointed Alternate Member or by proxy for three consecutive regular monthly meetings of SCCDCC or twenty-five per cent of regular of regular monthly meetings of SCCDCC in a calendar year.
At the February SCCDCC we had an election for one vacancy in the 22nd AD for which there were four candidates.  Given this level of enthusiasm to participate by people that are not voting members, it seems unfair that a person should occupy a seat on the Central Committee and not attend the meetings.  I feel I should keep a record of attendance.  If in the future a voting member misses two meetings in a row, I'll send that member a gentle reminder of the above bylaw regarding attendance.
    The rules for attendance are very flexible, so I can't imagine that it will be necessary to invoke this rule.  If you can't attend, you have a primary alternate who can fill in, a secondary alternate who can fill in for the primary alternate, or failing both of those, you can appoint a proxy.  And if none of those can attend, you have two sequential absences that are automatically excused.
     Jim Thurber pointed out that the CC bylaws do not actually mention "excused" absences.  That being the case, In the future I will not be recording an absence as excused.  Please be sure to appoint alternates to fill in for you if you cannot attend.

F.  Community Services & Voter Registration:

    No report.

G.  Finance:  Steve Preminger.

    Jim Thurber is absent due to illness.  The JJ dinner, May 4th, will have as its theme Asian-American contributions.

H.  Campaign Services:   Cristina Uribe.

    Two months ago we endorsed Nora Campos for San José City Council District 5.  The election will be Tuesday.  This weekend is get-out-the-vote.  We will be walking precincts Saturday, Sunday, and Monday starting at 9:30 from the office at 2080 Story Road.  Saturday, we'll have a barbecue beginning around 1:30 P.M.  Phone banks will need volunteers at the Labor Temple Sunday through Tuesday.

I.  Candidate Services:

    No report

J.   Issues:

Clean Money Campaign Reform: Gordon Haskell.

    Gordon began by asking the Committee how many believed we need campaign finance reform; about two thirds raised their hands.  He said that the Democratic Party has not moved on this issue.  Now there is a movement to repeat the electoral success in Arizona, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts of a publicly funded election system.  Under such a system elected officials will be under no obligation to large donors.  We are proposing such a system for California.:  the California Clean Money Campaign.  The Democratic Party can help shape a referendum on this issue, or it can sit on its hands and let the Greens take our members.  Three County Committees have supported a resolution in support of Clean Money.  I ask that you do the same.
    Gordon was asked if Clean Money candidates receive no private money, and he responded,  "That's right."
    How it is working: in Maine one third of the state candidates were Clean Money candidates in the November election.
    Peter Szego pointed out that several cities, like LA, have partial public financing.  The candidates for U.S. President also get public funds.
    Gordon presented the following resolution:

Resolution in support of political reform: Public financing of elections

WHEREAS, the current California Democratic Party platform heads its section on Political Reform as follows: "Public Financing. Support the public financing of major political campaigns and some public funding for recognized political parties. Encourage small donors and organizations that rely upon small donors until the larger goal can be achieved. " And,

WHEREAS, the presidential campaign of 2000 has driven home to an unprecedented number of Americans the need for a basic reform of our electoral system, and

WHEREAS, the enormous increase in the last election of both "soft" and "hard" money has further distorted the democratic process in our country; has convinced large numbers of citizens that wealth wields disproportionate influence in politics, and exerts pressure on all candidates to favor policies which serve the wealthy and to defeat policies which serve the vast majority of American families, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, that it shall be the purpose of the California Democratic Party to assemble a the widest possible coalition of individuals and organizations to enact in our legislature, or to place on the ballot no later than the year 2004, a measure providing for voluntary public funding of elections in California similar to the measures now in force in Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Convention encourages our Party Chair and Executive Board to place a top priority on working with such a coalition to the end that a measure for voluntary public financing of election campaigns be enacted at the earliest feasible time.

    Herb Engstrom moved that we endorse this resolution.  It was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Instant Runoff Voting: Steve Chessin

    Steve presented the following resolution:

Resolution to prevent the spoiling of California elections

WHEREAS, the combination of third party candidates and plurality election rules (most votes wins, even if it isn't a majority) can spoil and has spoiled the election of Democrats, as Ralph Nader spoiled both the New Hampshire vote and the Florida vote for Al Gore, and threatens to spoil California's presidential vote in 2004; and

WHEREAS, a majority vote requirement with instant runoff voting eliminates the spoiler effect without the need for an expensive second election; and

WHEREAS, the punch-card equipment used by many counties cannot
accommodate the ranked ballot needed for instant runoff voting, but both optical-scan and touch-screen technologies can;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party supports the use of instant runoff voting in all single-winner elections, including the Presidential election; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the California Democratic Party supports legislation that aids counties in upgrading their voting equipment to handle ranked ballots.

    Steve was asked if there was not a timing problem with submission of this resolution.  Steve felt there was no such problem.
    Bart Fisher expressed opposition to instant runoff voting and to the resolution.  He said a voter needs information about all candidates.  He likes having a runoff in that he learns more.  A third party candidate need not be a spoiler; such a candidate makes the major party candidates work harder.
    A motion to endorse the resolution was made, seconded, and carried by voice vote.

K. Political Outreach: Emy Thurber.

    Six Democratic clubs have applied for reaccreditation.  These are DAWN, the PDC, Clinton*Gore, Santa Clara County, South County, and Evergreen.  Emy moved to reaccredit these.  Chris Stampolis proposed an amendment to accredit the PDC youth group, the Peninsula Young Dems, at the same time.  The amendment was accepted, and the motion to reaccredit all seven organizations passed.

Club reports:

20th AD Committee:  David Cohen.

    The Committee held its organizational meeting at which Yvette Brittain was elected Chair, I Vice Chair, and Bob Weikowski 2nd Vice Chair.  I have photos of the Central Committee installation ceremony in January.

21st AD Committee: Nancy Bain.

    The next meeting of the 21st will be March 7 at 7 PM at Bakers Hall on Veterans Blvd in Redwood City.

22nd AD Committee:  Chris Stampolis.

    1) The 22nd AD all pitched in for snacks;
    2) AD Committee meeting is planned for Sunday March 25;
    3) Sunnyvale Council member Fred Fowler is making an effort to start a Democratic club in his city.

Evergreen Democratic Club at the Villages:  Beverly Wharton.

    At our last meeting on Feb. 6th, Peter Szego discussed redistricting.  We now have over 100 members.  Our next meeting will feature Kristin Sullivan of De Anza College speaking on alternative energy.

Peninsula Democratic Coalition and Peninsula Young Democrats: Jodi Wittlin.

     On Feb. 10, we held our first annual "strategic planning retreat" at a private home in mountain view.  Over 20 people, or almost 1/2 our membership, attended.  The retreat was facilitated by a professional corporate strategic planner, who guided the group in discussing what we see PYD becoming in the next year and in the long term.
    On Feb. 22, PYD held its bi-monthly happy hour at Old Pro's in Palo Alto.  A good time was had by all, and we had a great turnout.
    The PDC held its annual meeting on Feb. 25 at the los altos youth center.  Unfortunately, our speaker decided for reasons unknown to me not to appear.  however, a new board of directors was elected, and new officers chosen.  Fran Cochran remains chair.
    Upcoming events: March 22, 7 pm, Mountain view city council chambers:  PYD in conjunction with the PDC will host Andre Cherny, the youngest speech writer ever hired by the White House, and a primary speech writer on the Gore 2000 campaign.  Cherny is 25 and taking classes at Boalt Law, as well as working with Assemblyman Hertzberg.  Additionally, Cherny was the primary author of the 2000 Democratic Party platform.  He will speak on his experiences in the Clinton administration and in the Gore campaign.

Santa Clara County Democratic Club:  Herb Engstrom.

    Our last meeting featured Dick Roe, Executive Director of the United Council of Churches speaking on "Charitable Choice,"  the Bush proposal for government funding of church based charities.  Mr. Roe pointed out a number of problems with this proposal, and among these was that it would lead inevitably to a large expansion of the role of government, contrary to the Bush ideology.
    Our next meeting will be March 19th at Coco's Restaurant in Santa Clara.  Prof. Pogadinski of the SJSU Economics Dept. will speak on the Bush tax proposal.
    The most recent "Straight Talk" TV taping concerned education.  Guests were Congressman Mike Honda, Los Gatos School Board member Steve Glickman, and Middle School Dean Karl Davis.

South County Democratic Club:  Alex Kennett.

    Next meeting will be at El Capri Mexican restaurant on APril 7.  There will be a candidate forum on the topic what it is like to be an elected official.

West Valley Democratic Club:  David Wilkes.

    Our last meeting was at the home of Barbara Nesbet, the mayor of Monte Sereno on a Sunday afternoon.  Perhaps because of this new time, we had twice as many people as we normally do.

DAWN:  Claudia Shope.

    The next DAWN meeting will be March 18th.

County Fair:  Phyllis Ward.

    Phyllis said that the Party will gain have a booth at the COunty Fair, which this year runs from Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 20.  We need volunteers.

L. Regional Director: Madge Overhouse.

    No report.

M.  Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis.

    The DNC met in Washington, DC a month ago and elected Terry McAuliffe the new Chair.  Maynard Jackson withdrew from that race to accept a new position for him, that of outreach.
    In the election for Secretary Kathy Vick of Louisiana, who has held the office for 12 years, ran again, but Susan Turnbull of the Women's Caucus challenged her.  The vote was by written, signed ballot.  Susan received more votes from DNC members who were elected, but appointed members carried the election for Vic.  Art Torres supported Vic, but allowed California delegates to vote as they pleased.

N.  Pro-Choice Coalition:  Claudia Shope.

    We meet the second Tuesday in March for planning for the year.  We will have a booth at the County Fair with the theme "Make abortion safe and legal."
    Following a two day trial, a federal jury in Illinois on December 6 rejected an insanity defense and convicted Clayton Waagner, 44, of Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, for possession of firearms by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.  Waagner's arrest ended a months long, cross-country trip to allegedly gather personal information, stalk, and ultimately murder physicians who perform abortions.  "I figured for every one I killed, I'd get another one to quit," Waagner told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  In a previously published Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report, Waagner provided this answer when asked how his actions were financed:  "There are organized groups out there ... that have money, resources.  There are people not quite willing to go so far as taking a life ....  For people like myself who are willing to take that risk, you'd be surprised how many people are willing to be supportive."
    We need to be cognizant that these people are out there.

O.  DTV Report:  Steve Chessin.

Democratic Television Producer Steve Chessin reported that our February taping was with Nora Campos, candidate in the special election to fill the vacancy in San Jose City Council District #5.  Our March guest will be Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.

We will be on San Jose AT&T Channel 15A March 1st and 29th with Nora Campos, March 15th with Assemblywoman Alquist, and April 12th and May 10th with Congresswoman Eshoo.

We could still use some more Democrats on the crew.  No prior video experience is necessary.

San Jose Channel 15A, 8:00 pm every other Thursday (serves part of Cupertino):
2001:
Mar  1  DTV 74  Nora Campos
Mar 15  DTV 73  Hon. Elaine Alquist
Mar 29  DTV 74  Nora Campos
Apr 12  DTV 75  Hon. Anna Eshoo
Apr 26  DTV 76  TBD-76
May 10  DTV 75  Hon. Anna Eshoo
May 24  DTV 76  TBD-76

See  http://www.scc-democrats.org/dtv.htm  for the full schedule.
 

P.  CDC Report:  David Wilkes.

    The CDC is asking Clubs to reaffiliate.  Our convention will be May 18 to 20.  At the San Luis Obispo meeting, Jim Clark, the vice president, spoke for 6 hours giving an outline of our proposal.

Q.  Welfare Reform:  Sal Alvarez.

    No report.

8.  OLD BUSINESS

    None.

9.  NEW BUSINESS

A.  Establishment of a committee to examine our policy of endorsement of candidates in non-partisan races.

    Steve Preminger asked for volunteers to serve on such a committee.  The following people volunteered: David Cohen, Allan Thiessen, Emy Thurber, Alyson Abramowitz, Jacquie Heffner, Chris Stampolis, Keith Garvey, Cristina Uribe, Claudia Shope, Craig Mann, Phyllis Ward, Bart Fisher, Lee Sturtevant, Tom Cochran, Jim Brady, and Steve Chessin.  (Subsequently, Jim Thurber also volunteered.)

B. Election of Directors.

    The E-board proposes the following people for directors:
            Campaign Services: Keith Garvey
            Issues: Willie Wool
            Political Outreach:  Emy Thurber
            Candidate Services: Cristina Uribe
            Finance: Jim Thurber
            Community Services & Voter Registration:  Liz McDavit

    Aldyth Parle moved the appointment of the above.
    Anna Song requested a description of the job of Candidate Services.  The SCCDCC Executive Board Duties and Responsibilities Act contains the following:

II.I. Director of Candidate Services
    II.I.1. To coordinate the recruitment of Democratic candidates for all elective offices in Santa Clara County;
    II.I.2. To coordinate the appointment of Democrats to Boards and Commissions;
    II.I.3. To promote the goals and activities of the Endorsements Committee and assist thereon; and
    II.I.4. To serve as liaison between the SCCDCC and all Democratic office-holders in Santa Clara County.
    Chris Stampolis requested that we hear from each candidate.  A summary of their statements:

    Campaign Services: Keith Garvey.  I went through the endorsements procedures for the Party.  I have a lot of experience.  I have the time and interest as well as a good working relationship with elected officials.
    Issues: Willie Wool.  Not present.
    Political Outreach:  Emy Thurber.  I know the leaders and members of many clubs, and I enjoy this.
    Candidate Services: Cristina Uribe.  Not present, but Steve Preminger commented that Cristina was working on the Nora Campos campaign.  Cristina worked to keep a good relationship with the Labor Council.
    Finance: Jim Thurber.  Jim was also not present, but Steve commented that Jim has served in this capacity for a long time.  He knows the laws.
    Community Services & Voter Registration:  Liz McDavit.  Also not present.  "She's done this for years," was Steve's comment.

    Aldyth's motion was seconded, but Anna pulled the office of Candidate Services and asked to hear of Cristina's accomplishments.

    The motion passed by voice vote without the office of Candidate Services.  Steve asked for any other nominations.  Chris asked that this election be tabled, but the motion was defeated.  Chris said that the job description was different from what Cristina was actually doing.  Steve replied that what is most important is to support our endorsed candidates to which Chris replied that this was Keith's job (i.e., Campaign Services).
    It was moved and seconded to close nominations.  A vote was called, and Cristina was elected.

C. Election of CC Associates.

    The following people are Democratic Party activists but who no longer have an official affiliation with the Central Committee:  Margaret Abe, Cindy Chavez, Dennis Chiu, Dave Cortese, Ed Foglia, Deane Little, Loretta Riddle, Thelma Spaziani, Lorre Vaughn, Beverly Wharton, Willie Wool.   It was moved and seconded to appoint all these Central Committee Associates.  The motion passed by voice vote.

D.  Additional resolutions for the CDP convention.

1.  Chris Stampolis submitted the following:

Resolution in support of an investigation of Chuck Quackenbush

WHEREAS, Former Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush engaged in potentially illegal activities under the auspices of his elected title; and

WHEREAS, Attorney General Bill Lockyer has pledged to fight for justice, not the "Just Us" of the Dan Lungren days;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the SCCDCC send a letter to Attorney General Lockyer requesting ongoing investigation of Quackenbush for malfeasance and misfeasance in office, including the diversion of public funds for the purpose of personal political use; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the SCCDCC ask the Resolutions Committee of the Democratic State Convention in Anaheim Mar. 3O-Apr. 1 to send this resolution to the floor with a recommendation that a similar letter from the statewide CDP offices be sent to Attorney General Lockyer.

    A motion to adopt was passed unanimously and without discussion.

2.  Chris Stampolis and David Wilkes jointly submitted a resolution calling for a ban on the death penalty in California, and a motion was made to approve.
    Emy Thurber expressed her opposition to the death penalty but proposed changing the wording from "ban" to "moratorium" because a resolution calling for an outright ban is unlikely to pass.  Bart Fisher wanted to know if the resolution opposed all death penalty or just until it can be applied fairly.  David Wilkes replied that he was calling for an absolute ban asking that if the Republican governor of Illinois can declare a moratorium, "can we do anything less?"  Charles Walton referred to the traditional values of Democrats and said we should end the death penalty in good conscience.
    David moved to replace "ban" with "moratorium."
    Chris objected saying that this resolution is by the SCCDCC  and not binding on elected officials.  It is up to them to find a compromise.  AT the activist level, we should support a ban.  Rena Modell agreed saying you can't be malleable on this issue; you're for it or against it.  She supports the resolution as it is -- with "ban."  Jacquie Heffner disagreed: "I'm against the death penalty, but we need something that will put a stop to it."  David Wilkes countered that the Resolutions Committee will modify the draft any way they want, so we should support a strong statement.  "People are tired of Democrats looking like Republicans," he added.
    The motion to change the wording from "ban" to "moratorium" was called to a vote with the Committee evenly divided at 14 votes pro and 14 con.  Chris called for a roll call vote.
    Voting in favor of the amended wording (i.e. to substitute "moratorium") were D. Cohen, A. Mack, E. Thurber, T. Cochran, B. Fisher, K. Garvey, T. Gregory, C. Shope, A. Abramowitz, J. Heffner, C. Mann, A. Barnett, D. Sessums, S. Preminger, L. Hicks, and J. Wittlin. Total of 16.
    Voting in favor of the original wording ("ban") were B. Ferguson, S. Chessin, R. Diridon, H. Engstrom, A. Parle, A. Song, A. Bantis, B. Gold, P. Ward, R. Modell, V. Cortese, O. Graeve, C. Stampolis, B. Wharton, and D. Wilkes.  Total of 15.
    The motion to amend the wording passed.  With the amended wording the motion was brought to a vote and passed unanimously.  The resolution, as amended, follows:

Resolution opposing the death penalty

WHEREAS, the United States is alone among Western countries in continuing to have a death penalty; and

WHEREAS, there have been so many cases of people on death row being found innocent that it raises the question of how many innocent people have been executed; and

WHEREAS, the death penalty has not been shown to be applied fairly across demographic groups nor to have any measurable deterrent effects;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the SCCDCC takes a formal stand in favor of a moratorium on the death penalty in California and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the SCCDCC forwards this resolution to the Resolutions Committee of the California Democratic convention with a request that a similar position be approved by the committee and be sent to the floor of the convention with an affirmative recommendation.

3.  Charles Walton submitted a resolution opposing the Bush plan for an anti-missile system emphasizing that such a system is technically very difficult.  He quoted columnist George Will as saying in support of the system that we must counter blackmail by rogue nations like North Korea and Iraq.  "This is crazy," Charles said.
    Herb Engstrom moved to adopt, and Emy Thurber seconded.
    Jim Brady opposed the resolution saying that he had worked in missile defense for 12 years.  An anti-missile system can work and has worked.  "Although the cost is high, what is the cost of losing L.A.?" he asked.  Defense against North Korea is feasible.  Jodi Wittlin disagreed claiming some technical expertise as a member of the American Physical Society.  David Wilkes added that he, too, worked in the defense industry, and said, "It won't work."
    The motion was brought to a vote and carried.  The resolution as adopted follows:

Resolution supporting the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

WHEREAS, the end of the Cold War has greatly reduced the threat of a missile based nuclear war; and

WHEREAS, the United States has pledged to abide by the terms of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty prohibiting the deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system; and

WHEREAS, the feasibility of such a system has been called highly questionable by many authoritative technical experts; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party strongly opposes the initiatives by George W. Bush to develop and deploy such a system; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the CDP Chair is directed to write to all representatives to the U.S. Congress and Senate from California requesting their support in opposing these initiatives.

E.  Job descriptions of directors.

    Chris Stampolis moved to create a subcommittee to review job descriptions of the directors.  Steve Preminger offered to take up the issue with the Executive Board.  Chris accepted the suggestion and withdrew the motion.

10.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Bernie Gold said he was not going to the convention and offered to sign a proxy to an interested person.
    Bart Fisher said there would be a fundraiser by the YDs for Gov. Gray Davis on March 15th at Polly Esther's in San José.
    Steve Chessin announced there will be a conference on instant runoff voting at Stanford on March 3.

11. ADJOURNMENT

    The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 P.M.

This page was last updated 3/17/01.
 Return to home page.