1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Preminger
at 7:14 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
Absent were: Dennis Chiu, Francine Davis, Ron Lind,
Jewelle Gibbs, Rod Diridon, Aldyth Parle, Larry Carr, Joe Simitian, Rebecca
Cohn, Liz Figueroa, Byron Sher, John Vasconcellos, Anselmo Chavez, Pete
Stark, Anna Eshoo, Mike Honda, Gap Kim, Lillian Hicks, Beverly Wharton,
Jodi Wittlin, and Alex Edelstein.
Excused were: John Dutra and Simon Salinas.
3. IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS
Sam Lacaro representing Chris Kelly, who is running
for Palo Alto City Council.
Jeremy
Judy Chirco, a candidate for San José City
Council, District 9.
Dolly Sandoval, a candidate for Cupertino City Council.
Charlie Ahern, an alternate for Dan Hoffman, who
is now representing the Santa Clara County Democratic Club.
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
It was moved and seconded that the agenda be approved.
The motion carried.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Minutes are posted
on www.scc-democrats.org)
Copies of the minutes of the October meeting were
mailed to those without e-mail. An e-mail with a link to the minutes
was sent to all others. However, a link to the minutes was not posted
on the web until 6:10 this evening. A motion to approve the minutes
was not made.
6. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Mark Moulton of the San Mateo affiliate of
Habitat for Humanity gave a brief talk on increasing affordable housing
in Santa Clara County and what we can do to help.
He said that Habitat will allow you to volunteer
and participate easily. The purpose of Habitat is to allow families
earning $24 to $39 thousand per year to afford to buy their own homes by
using volunteer labor to build houses. For some homes even the foundations
are laid by volunteers; the framing is done for all homes. The object
is to break the cycle of poverty. For example, in Redwood City, Habitat
purchased 2 acres of land for $2.4 million and will invest $5.5 million
in materials to construct housing on that land.
To buy a home a family must participate in the construction
by contributing at least 500 hours of "sweat equity." They are required
to pay up to 30% of their gross income and may obtain a loan at $0 down
and 0% interest.
Habitat's board of directors has 18 people.
A regular group of 20 people, generally retired, act as team leaders.
Habitat organizes about 40,000 hours of volunteer labor per year.
It's a lot of fun to work together.
Emy Thurber asked how families allowed to buy a
home are chosen. They are chosen on the basis of need, their ability
to pay, and their willingness to partner. We do all the formailities
that a bank would. And families sit on our committees.
Anne Mack asked if the local organization receives
money form the International. No. If you donate to the local
organization, some of that money will go to the International.
Steve Chessin asked what restrictions there are
on resale of a home. Deeds are restricted by 40 years. If a
family wants to sell within that period, they must come to Habitat and
return what they have paid plus 3% of the value of the home. With
50 families in Habitat housing, none have left.
Thelma Spaziani asked what the criteria are for
upkeep of the property. This problem is "dicey." We rely on
personal relations. There is also a committee or homeowner's association.
Habitat provides training for these associations.
7. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS
A. Executive Board: Herb Engstrom.
We discussed composition; can we allocate seats
based on some formula based, for example, on population in the county?
For example, Milpitas is the only town in the 20th AD that lies within
Santa Clara County. Should Milpitas have the same number or fewer
seats than those Ads (22nd, 23rd, and 24th) that lie entirely within the
county? The issue will be taken up by the bylaws revision committee.
Herb will send his current list of proposed
bylaws revisions to David Cohen, chair of the revisions committee.
A committee meeting is set for Novemebr 13 at David's home.
Herb expressed concern that some elected members
of the Central Committee rarely if ever show up at meetings. Several have
missed three meetings in a row. David offered to write a gently worded
letter to these people asking if they really want to be on the CC and noting
they should have alternates to fill in if they are not able to be present.
David is to check to see if our bylaws, which allow for removal from office
of elected members, are consistent with state law.
The E-board was charged with revising the
resolution submitted at the October meeting. The Thurbers presented
a resolution to which several people suggested modifications. Forther
modifications were made in subsequent e-mail exchanges. The final
resolution to be submitted to the State E-Board Resolutions Committee is
given in the appendix to these minutes.
B. Chair: Steve Preminger.
We approved mailings on behalf of endorsed candidates
in the Cupertino and Gilroy City Council races. The State party wants
volunteers to attend the Congress of Republicans to be held this Saturday
to interview Republican candidates for governor. Bill Jones will
be there. Is anyone interested?
C. Vice Chair: Tom Cochran.
No report.
D. Treasurer: Dennis Chiu.
Absent.
E. Secretary: Herb Engstrom.
No report.
F. Community Services & Voter Registration: Liz McDavit.
On the morning of Wednesday Oct. 31, we held another
voter registration event at the Swearing In Ceremony for New Citizens in
Santa Clara County, held in downtown San Jose. I want to thank Lorre Vaughn
for doing this event with me and taking off work with me so we could be
there.
It was again a successful event. Last month I showed
you the beautiful color glossy brochures that the State Party has provided
in many different languages entitiled "Why We Are Democrats." These
are popular and people appreciate very much the fact that the Party has
printed them in different languages. It definitely has accomplished a more
personal connection with citizens deciding on their Party affliation.
This time we also had beautiful congratulatory certificates to hand out
from the Democratic Party. I've brought some to show you which I
will pass out. Many new citizens asked for them stating that they had registered
as a Democrat inside the building and would like one of the certificates.
Again I would like to say that we are working closely
with the State Party on this, and when we can't take off work to organize,
they send someone down and vise versa. Sometimes we can all be there working
together which makes it very nice. Thank you.
G. Finance: Jim Thurber
Jim Thurber reported that the UDC decided to do
two small mailings in support of endorsed candidates in the November 4th
election: in Gilroy and Cupertino. However, these would be partially
offset by donations so the effect on the treasury would be minimal.
He added that plans were already underway for the
2002 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on May 3, 2002 and a meeting of the Dinner
Committee would take place on November 16th at 1:30 pm, right after the
Century Club luncheon at Lou's Village. He urged all Central Committee
members intgerested in helping at the dinner to attend the meeting; if
unable to do so, please contact him at 650-948-8259.
H. Campaign Services: Cristina Uribe
Absent.
I. Candidate Services: Keith Garvey
No report.
J. Issues: Willie Wool
Absent.
K. Political Outreach: Emy Thurber
21st AD Committee: Rich Watters.
On September 16 the 21st AD, in conjunction with
the Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) and the Peninsula Young Democrats
(PYD), presented a forum for State Controller candidates. This event, held
at the home of 21st AD Vice Chair Greg Loew, featured State Board of Equalization
Member Johan Klehs and long-time Party activist and businessman Steve Westly.
Both made well-received presentations, and the forum was a great success.
On the evening of November 7 the 21st AD Committee
will hold an Executive Board Meeting, also at the home of Greg Loew.
Election results and holiday plans will be discussed.
On a personal note, 21st AD Chair Ian Bain and 21st
AD Treasurer Nancy Bain were blessed by the birth of a son, Zachary Taylor
Bain, on October 11.
22nd AD Committee: Chris Stampolis.
The 22nd Assembly District officers will meet by
conference call soon after Election Day, Nov. 6. One officer (Fred
Fowler) is running for re-election to the Sunnyvale City Council, and we
wish him well. We expect to have a meeting of the full 22nd AD Committee
in late November or early December to discuss 2002 outreach, and the new
Assembly District boundaries, including reaching out to our new friends
in the City of Cupertino. Also, the 22nd AD Committee leadership
gently encourages the State Party to avoid scheduling E-Board meetings
on future GOTV weekends.
24th AD Committee: Nancy Pyle.
The Los Gatos Young Democrats have recently been
organized with Dolly Sandoval as their advisor. Mayor Barbara Nesbitt
of Monte Sereno spoke to the Club in October. They need a speaker
to facilitate discussion on the bill regarding drilling in Alska and on
the antiterrorist/safety issues.
African-American Democratic Coalition: Tony Alexander.
The Coalition is hosting a Fundraiser for City Council
Candidate Terry Gregory Sunday December 2 at the Home of E. Luis And Peggy
Saenz, 1029 Woodview Pl,0 San Jose, Ca 95120. The Time is 5:00 pm
to 7:00 pm. RSVP 408 259-4573.
High Tech Dems: Alyson Abramowitz.
Written report not yet submitted.
Peninsula Democratic Coalition: Emy Thurber.
The PDC had a legislative lunch in October with
Assemblyman Joe Simitian. The annual holiday party will be on Dec.
15th, 7 to 10 PM at the Thurber's in Los Altos.
Peninsula Young Democrats: Brandon Sulser.
On October 6th, PYD had its first ever community
service event. Working with a group called "Community Impact Day
2001", we participated in the restoration of baylands in Palo Alto by removing
non-indiginous plants which were crowding out plants and animals native
to that ecosystem.
After our community service event, we had our very
first club endorsements. We endorsed Dolly Sandoval for the city
council in Cupertino and we endorsed Chris Kelly in Palo Alto.
PYD had its bi-monthly social get-together on October
25th. This time about ten of us went ice skating in Foster City.
Santa Clara County Democratic Club: Charlie Ahern.
The October meeting featured Club member and environmentalist
Carol Ann Gable speaking on the dangers of radioactive materials recycled
into consumer products under a program of the Department of Energy.
She also appeared on our TV show, "Straight Talk" on the same subject.
Next month tentative plans call for having Club member Patrick Moore speak
on the advantages of high speed, intercity rail as part of the solution
to our energy and transportation problems. Save the date Thursday,
Dec. 13, for the Club's annual Holiday party this year to be held at Lou's
Village. Tickets are only $35. Congressman Mike Honda will
be the featured speaker.
South County Democratic Club:Alex Kennett.
South County Club held meetings the week of October
27th and November 3rd. Instead of sitting in a room talking about
the Gilroy elections we worked on the streets and the phones on behalf
of our three candidates.
We will hold a mid December meeting to endorse Dennis
Kennedy for Supervisor. Our meeting after that will be a Super bowl
Pot-luck/fundraiser.
West Valley Democratic Club:
Written report not yet submitted.
L. Regional Directors:
Region 5: Madge Overhouse.
The State Party E-board meets this weekend at the
Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. Nancy Pelosi may be the
lunch speaker. At athe July meeting Party Political Director Bob
Mulholland gave a talk. There will be reports from the counties.
Region 4: Martin Gorfinkel.
No report.
M. Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis.
The next DNC meeting will be January 17-19 in Washington,
DC. The September meeting in Miami was cancelled due to the East
Coast terrorist attacks. The DNC members are awaiting the results
of mail ballots for electing the new national at-large members of the DNC,
as nominated by national Chair Terry McAuliffe. Also being tabulated
are the votes for the ten at-large Executive Committee members nominated
by McAuliffe. Local Congressman Mike Honda was nominated to retain
his seat as an at-large member of the DNC.
N. Pro-Choice Coalition: Claudia Shope.
The Coaltion will meet next Tuesday at the usual
place.
A Reuters news article of October 30 reported as follows:
Some 250 U.S. abortion clinics have received mailed
anthrax threats since Oct. 15; but none of the powder-laden letters has
tested positive for the deadly bacteria, clinic security experts said on
Tuesday.
Such threats by mail are nothing new for groups
like Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Feminist Majority Foundation
and the National Abortion Federation, where the threat of anthrax contamination
has been a concern since 1998.
But the number escalated sharply at mid-October
--from 10 to 30 a year, to 250 in two weeks --in what officials of these
groups see as a coordinated campaign.
In similarly typed letters with bogus ieturn addresses
of either "U.S. Secret Service" or "U.S. Marshall Service," the mailing
to clinics postmarked Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 had a note on the left-Iower
corner of the envelopes reading "TIME SENSITIVE: Urgent Security Notice
Enclosed."
Inside all the envelopes was white powder and a
letter that began, "You have been exposed to anthrax. We are going to kill
all of you. Army of God, Virginia DARE Chapter," the clinic security officials
said in telephone interviews.
The Army of God is a militant anti-abortion group
linked to killing doctors and bombing abortion clinics.
No clinic worker has been harmed by the mailings
and no anthrax has been detected in tests of the white powder.
There is no direct link between these letters and
the hand-printed missives that are tied to more than a dozen confirmed
U.S. cases of anthrax.
Check out thePro Choice Coalition website at www.svpal.org/~choice .
O. DTV Report: Steve Chessin.
Democratic Television Producer Steve Chessin reported
that our October taping was with United Way of Silicon Valley Campaign
Manager Nilou Nouri, who discussed her experience growing up in Iran in
the 1970s and early 1980s, being a Muslim-American in the United States,
and the impact of the events of September 11th.
Our guest in November is not yet known.
We will be on San José AT&T channel 15A
next week, November 8th, with Nilou Nouri. That show will be repeated
December 6th. There is no airing on Thanksgiving. The show
we taped in November will be aired December 20th and January 17th.
We could still use some more Democrats on the crew.
No prior video experience is necessary.
San José Channel 15A, 8:00 pm every other Thursday (serves part
of Cupertino):
Nov. 8 DTV 82 Nilou Nouri
Nov. 22 No show (Thanksgiving)
Dec. 6 DTV 82 Nilou Nouri
Dec. 20 DTV 83 TBD-83
Jan. 17 DTV-83 TBD-83
See www.scc-democrats.org/dtv.htm#dtv for the full schedule.
P. CDC Report: David Wilkes.
Q. Welfare Reform: Nancy Pyle for Sal Alvarez.
Nancy commented that she had received a questionnaire
on immigration. It looked very official, but the very fine print indicated
that it was sent by a group called American Immigration Control, which
Nacny said was very right wing. She plans to send the questionnaire
to the I.N.S.
7. OLD BUSINESS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
None.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Executive Board meeting will be Thursday,
8 November, 6 PM at the Thurber's.
Steve Preminger thanked the 23rd AD for providing
refreshments.
10. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was passed at 8:19 P.M.
APPENDIX
Resolution on September 11th
WHEREAS, the hijacking of four US passenger airliners and the subsequent attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon resulted in tremendous suffering and the loss of thousands of innocent lives; and terrorism is an abhorrent crime against humanity; and
WHEREAS, the United States is a nation of immigrants from many lands who have lived and worked together to build this free, prosperous, democratic nation, and whose very differences in background, ethnicity, religion and color have made us a unique and successful experiment of people who celebrate fair play and respect for diversity;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims, and supports all responsible efforts to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice while ensuring that any military retaliation takes special care to protect the lives of civilians; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge our elected officials
at all levels, local, state and federal, to guard against the erosion of
Constitutionally protected rights and liberties, to continue to repudiate
and proscribe the targeting of Arab-Americans, members of the Muslim community
and other minorities, and allocate needed resources for violence prevention
and to educate the public about the need for tolerance and restraint.
This page was last updated 11/08/01