1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Preminger
at 7:17PM.
2. ROLL CALL
Absent were: Rod Diridon, Bart Fisher, Alex Bantis,
Sal Alvarez, Larry Carr, John Dutra, Joe Simitian, Rebecca Cohn, Simon
Salinas, Liz Figueroa, Anselmo Chavez, Pete Stark, Anna Eshoo, Mike Honda,
Ruth Ashford, Gap Kim, Lillian Hicks, Jodi Wittlin, Alex Edelstein, and
Dave Wilkes.
Excused were: David Cohen, Jim Thurber, Liz McDavit,
Craig Mann, Madge Overhouse, and Frank Bosche.
3. IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS
Bill James, member of PDC and candidate for Central
Committee from the 22nd AD.
Mike Markman, member of the PYD and candidate for
Central Committee from the 21st AD.
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Charlie Ahern asked for a discussion of the
election to Central Committee with tips for new candidates.
Martin Gorfinkel asked that we consider resolutions
on threats to civil liberties due to the Administrations war on terrorism.
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)
A motion to approve the minutes of the November
meeting was made and carried.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Dennis Kennedy, Mayor of Morgan Hill
Mr. Kennedy introduced himself as a candidate for
the Supervisorial race in District 1, the seat now held by Republican Don
Gage, who is running for re-election. Mr. Kennedy said that some
Democrats have endorsed Gage, whom he described as pro-life, pro-gun, and
who supported Prop. 187 and opposed affirmative action. Gage also
voted against the moratorium on capital punishment and approved projects
that violated county ordinances. Mr. Kennedy takes offense
that Democratic elected officials support Gage.
He supports relief of traffic congestion.
He went on to say that Morgan Hill has done a remarkable job in affordable
housing and that he is proud of that record. He has brought in business,
and Morgan Hill now has a budget surplus.
He asked the Central Committee for its support and
also to hold accountable those elected officials supporting a Republican.
He needs people to help in all the San José neighborhoods.
His campaign has an office in Morgan Hill and a
strong campaign organization with Maria Smith as campaign manager.
The campaign has raised $90,000 and has a strong list of endorsements including
Sam Farr, Mike Honda, Byron Sher, Simon Salinas, and the Latino Caucus.
7. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS
A. Executive Board: Herb Engstrom.
Herb reported that the subcommittee on bylaws revisions
had met and recommended over 40 changes, most minor but some substantial.
The subcommittee chair, David Cohen, is on vacation and will issue a detailed
report in January after he returns.
B. Chair: Steve Preminger.
Steve suggested that the next meeting of the Central
Committee take place on January 10, 2002, rather than on the usual first
Thursday, January 3, because of the New Year holiday. Bev Wharton
moved this change. Concern was raised over the availability of space;
the usual meeting place, the cafeteria, will not be available nor will
any other large meeting rooms in the County Building. Phyllis Ward
indicated that the Sheriff's auditorium at 55 West Younger was available,
and this location was chosen. The motion to postpone the meeting
date one week carried.
C. Vice Chair: Tom Cochran.
No report.
D. Treasurer: Dennis Chiu.
The checking account has $969.88.
E. Secretary: Herb Engstrom.
Jacquie Heffner had found that the Young Republicans
of Santa Clara County have established a web site. Herb described
it as a "hoot" because the home page had photos of Republican officeholders
in the County. Given the dearth of such people, the Young Republicans
were left with former Congressman Tom Campbell and even a former Los Gatos
Town Councilman. The page is at http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/9115/aboutus.html
.
F. Community Services & Voter Registration: Liz McDavit.
Absent.
G. Finance: Jim Thurber
Absent.
H. Campaign Services: Cristina Uribe
Absent.
I. Candidate Services: Keith Garvey
The Central Committee will be having endorsement
interviews for candidates running in the March 5, 2000 primary election.
Interviews will take place at the County Government Building 70 W. Hedding
in San Jose December 19th and 20th with makeup interviews Thursday,
the 27th, in anticipation of making recommendations to the entire Central
Committee at the January 10th, 2002 meeting. The schedule will be within
a framework of 530 p.m. to 9 00 each night as needed. The offices being
considered are the Mayor's race and the five odd-numbered city council
seats in San Jose as well as County Board of Supervisor's District 1 and
District 4.
If all interviews cannot be fit into this schedule
then additional times will be added or adjustments made. The primary
meeting room will be the Issac Newton Center adjacent to the Board of Supervisors
Chambers.
Some of the races are these:
Supervisor, District 1: Dennis Kennedy vs Don Gage.
Supervisor, District 4: Jim Beall vs nobody.
San José Mayor: Ron Gonzales vs no serious
opposition.
There are five San José City Council seats
under contention:
District 1: Incumbent Linda
Lezotte vs Ross Signorino, both Democrats
District 3: Incumbent Cindy
Chavez, Democrat, is unopposed.
District 5: Incumbent Nora
Campos, Democrat, vs Alex Ayala.
District 7: Bob Dhillon,
Terry Gregory, Ed Voss, Alfredo Benavides, Andy Diaz.
District 9: Chris Hemingway
and Judy Chirco, both Democrats.
Terry Gregory asked when the candidate questionnaire
will be available and will it be available electronically. Soon and
yes were the replies.
Chris Stampolis asked about other non-partisan races
such as school boards. There are, as well, some judicial races in
which we don't normally make endorsements. Jean Cohen replied that
one non-partisan race is that of Assessor, in which we normally make an
endorsement.
Tony Alexander pointed out that judicial candidates
don't like to answer questions. Claudia Shope agreed saying that
in her experience it is difficult to get a clear answer from them.
But Bart Fisher said that the judicial races are important; like Chris
he is concerned about his rights being taken away by Administration actions
relating to the war on terrorism. Dennis Chiu said that it would
help in the questioning to have lawyers familiar with case law. Dan
Hoffman suggested that we retain the option of recommending candidates
after determining their attitudes. Keith added that we can explore
further in January either by interviews of having them speak to the Committee.
Chris Stampolis moved that the Executive Board consider
this issue and report back. The motion carried. If necessary and
desired by the body, the committee could conduct interviews early next
year.
J. Issues: Willie Wool
Absent.
K. Political Outreach: Emy Thurber
Asian-Pacific American Democratic Club: Dennis Chiu.
The Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic
Club has been working on the campaigns of Pearl Cheng, Patrick Kwok, Dolly
Sandovol in the month of November. Each was elected or re-elected
to office.
D.A.W.N.: Keith Garvey.
Dawn held a brunch Sunday December 2, in Sunnyvale.
The purpose was to hear from successful candidates that DAWN supported
in the recent election and also have an opportunity to learn more about
the current candidates in the 22nd AD race coming up in March. The format
was to allow candidates to make a few introductory remarks and then interact
with the audience discussing issues and exchanging ideas as opposed to
an endorsement style interview. Rosemary Stasek, Rod Diridon Jr. and Sally
Lieber were given the opportunity to speak individually and then with the
other candidates in response to questions. There was also the opportunity
to involve several of the other elected officials in the audience in the
general discussion of policies and what the future may hold. Of particular
interest to people were the budget, relationships between state and local
government, and energy, with a discussion of the merits of nuclear
power. It was an excellent program with excellent food.!
Evergreen Democratic Club at the Villages: Bev Wharton.
At the November 6 meeting Club officers for 2002
were elected. Liz McDavit was the featured guest speaker. A representative
from InnVision also spoke. Members voted to once again "Adopt an InnVision
Family" for the Holidays. Dinner, with food and beverages provided by the
Club, followed the meeting.
The guest speaker for the December 4 meeting was
the Villages General Manager, Geoff Smith. Over $400 was collected for
the InnVision family the club adopted for the Holidays (a single mother
and two children). Gifts for the family will be purchased with the donated
money. Redistricting, which will leave three streets in Cribari Village
and six in Verano in the 28th District while the rest of the Villages will
be moved into the 23rd District, was cause for some consternation and discussion.
The Club voted to renew its affiliation with the CDC. Scheduled to
speak at our January 8th meeting will be Morgan Hill's mayor, Dennis Kennedy,
who is running for Santa Clara County Supervisorial District 1.
High Tech Dems: Alyson Abramowitz.
Written report not yet submitted.
Peninsula Democratic Coalition: Emy Thurber.
The Peninsula Democratic Coalition will host its
annual holiday party on Saturday evening, December 15, at the Thurber's
in Los Altos. Everyone is invited to attend.
Peninsula Young Democrats: Michael Markman.
On November 15, 2001, PYD co-sponsored a panel discussion
entitled, "On the Rebound?: The Future of High Tech in the Bay Area."
Held in the Mountain View City Council Chambers, the event was well attended
and included a heated debate on the future of the Bay Area high tech economy.
The panelists included economist Dr. Richard Carlson, the Hon. Manny Diaz
(23d AD), the Vice President for Democratic Outreach of TechNet Donnie
Fowler, and venture strategist Dr. Michelle Kraus. On December 4,
many PYD's participated in a fundraising event for Mike Honda at Q Cafe
in Palo Alto.
PYD will meet on Thurs., January 24, 2002 for PYD
elections and to conduct a planning meeting for 2002.
Santa Clara County Democratic Club: Charlie Ahern.
Last months' SCCDC general meeting featured Paul
George, director of the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center. Mr. George
discussed the war in Afghanistan from the perspective of a peace activist.
He focused on how plans to build oil pipelines in Central Asia may influence
decision making in the Bush Administration. Mr. George's presentation inspired
some lively debate.
The SCCDC holiday party is scheduled for Thursday,
December 13 at Lou's Village. We plan to have Mike Honda as the featured
speaker. Tickets cost $35. If you wish to make a last minute reservation
to attend, please contact Charlie Ahern at c_ahern@ix.netcom.com or (408)366-0933.
The SCCDC is planning a forum for local candidates
who will be running in the March 3rd election.
South County Democratic Club: Alex Kennett.
Saturday the 8th we're endorsing Dennis Kennedy
and John Laird for Supervisor and 27th Assembly respectively. We
have a new mascot - "Dilbert" for now. If imitation is the sincerest
form of flattery the local Republicans have formed the South County Republican
Club with Hedy Chang as the President.
Our next social is a Super Bowl Sunday pot luck.
L. Regional Directors:
Region 5: Martin Gorfinkel for Madge Overhouse.
The region 5 rally will be at the Labor Temple in
San Jose on January 13. Madge is organizing. Candidates for both
statewide and regional partisan office will be invited.
Region 4: Martin Gorfinkel.
The state party will not be involved in pre-primary
endorsements this year. Reapportionment has made the process too difficult
to organize. In an effort to provide some publicity and help for
candidates the state party is organizing rallies on the week-end of January
12 & 13. The region 4 rally will be in San Francisco and is being
organized by folks from there with my assistance as required.
M. Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis.
The Democratic National Committee will meet January
17-19 in Washington, DC. Elections for each regional caucus will
occur, as well as consideration of bylaw amendments and national resolutions.
The DNC process requires that a voting member of the organization sponsor
resolutions. Chris said he would be glad to carry resolutions from
SCCDCC members if they are provided to him by December 15. (There
is a 30 day submission requirement for all resolutions.)
N. Pro-Choice Coalition: Claudia Shope.
Be aware that an Orange County anti-abortion group
that uses a convoy of large trucks is bringing its rolling display of oversized
photographs of mutilated fetuses to Bay Area freeways and city streets
for the first time next week. Gregg Cunningham of the Center for
Bio-Ethical Reform said, "We can treat them as a captive audience.
Most of these folks are going to be alone in their vehicles, and they are
going to be more contemplative. If you can put these pictures in
their heads, the angrier they may get."
Clayton Waagner, who sent about 250 hoax antrax
letters to family planning clinics, was captured last week.
Check out the Pro Choice Coalition web site at www.svpal.org/~choice
.
O. DTV Report: Steve Chessin.
7O. DTV
Democratic Television Producer Steve Chessin reported
that our November taping was with recently elected Cupertino City Council
member Patrick Kwok, guest hosted by Chris Stampolis.
Our guest in December will be the Honorable Zoe
Lofgren. In January, we will have all three 22nd AD Assembly candidates
in for a round-table discussion.
We will be on San Jose AT&T Channel 15A tonight
with Nilou Nouri. The show we taped with Patrick Kwok will be aired
December 20th and January 17th. The show we tape with Congresswoman
Lofgren will be aired January 3rd.
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:
Dec 6 DTV 82 Nilou Nouri
Dec 20 DTV 83 Patrick Kwok
2002:
Jan 3 DTV 84 Hon. Zoe Lofgren
Jan 17 DTV 83 Patrick Kwok
See www.scc-democrats.org/dtv.htm#dtv
for the full schedule.
P. CDC Report: David Wilkes.
The California Democratic Council will be considering
endorsements for Congress, State Senate, State Assembly and County Committee
candidates over the weekend of January 25-27 at sites around the state.
Votes also will be taken for statewide office candidates, and some local
races if warranted. With the CDP not endorsing, the CDC is the main
Democratic endorsing organization this year. Chris suggested that
clubs affiliate with CDC so more grassroots voices can be represented and
involved.
Q. Welfare Reform: Sal Alvarez.
Absent
7. OLD BUSINESS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Central Committee election. Charlie Ahern.
Steve Preminger asked for advice from the Committee
for those Central Committee candidates that had never run. An election
is held only in those districts where more than six candidates file.
Steve Chessin said that elections are cheap; the most expensive item he
ever had was a slate mailer costing about a couple of hundred dollars per
person. Jacquie Heffner cautioned that you must be careful not to
exceed limits on expenditures set by election regulations. Steve
Chessin replied that one way to avoid this was for each person on the mailer
to write a separate check. Anne Mack asked if you had represented
the 24th AD but were now redistricted into the 22nd, are you still an incumbent?
The opinion of Alex Kennett was that you were. Dan Hoffman suggested
going door-to-door with the mailer rather than mailing it.
Thelma Spaziani told a personal story. She
had written a letter that was published in the San José Mercury
News praising the efficiency and professionalism of the people in the office
of the Registrar of Voters. When she filed for Central Committee
candidacy, her name was recognized, and she was told that everyone in that
office had a framed copy of her letter.
Steve Chessin said that the League of Women Voters
has a web site where candidates can post information about themselves.
Smart Voter also has a web site, and Planned Parenthood sends candidate
questionnaires.
B. Threats to civil liberties: Martin Gorfinkel.
Martin said that he had heard Attorney General John
Ashcroft talking to the Senate Judiciary Committee and saying, basically,
that the Administration will do whatever it wants and that it is none of
the Senate's business. Among other things, the Administration will
not provide a list of illegal gun owners. The tenor of the Democrats
on the Committee was one of subservience. That reluctance to challenge
the Administration comes from news reports saying that Bush has widespread
public approval. This approval comes because no one criticizes him.
He wanted the Central Committee to consider two resolutions penned by him
and Emy Thurber asking all elected officials (from City Council to the
U.S. Senate) to speak out. We need, he said, to activate people of
good conscience.
Steve Preminger noted that because the submission
of the resolutions was late, they require a two thirds vote of the Committee
for consideration. CHris Stampolis moved that they be considered
as emergency resolutions. The motion carried unanimously.
The text of the resolutions is given in the appendix.
Chris further moved that the sense of the resolutions
be approved, that they be refereed to the Executive Board for refinement,
and that the resolutions in their final form be sent to the CDC, DNC, and
local elected officials. This motion carried.
Rena Modell suggested that the resolutions be made
more specific.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPENDIX
Resolutions on threats to civil liberties
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS the Bush Administration is apparently enjoying wide support for its proposals to try accused terrorists before military tribunals without regard for constitutionally guaranteed protections, to intrude on attorney-client privileges guaranteed by the 6th Amendment and keep people in custody without publicly acknowledged charges and,
WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the Democratic Party to be guardians of our Constitution and our hallowed civil liberties,
THEREFORE we call upon our Democratic elected officials to speak up
in defense of our constitutional liberties and to lead a public debate
about the wisdom of these anti-terrorist proposals put forth by the Bush
Administration to make sure they do not jeopardize our irreplaceable freedoms.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS the Bush Administration and specifically the Attorney General is enjoying apparent wide success for outrageous assaults on cherished American values and civil rights as a direct result of silence from the opposition,
THEREFORE we urge our elected officials to speak out in opposition to
their Draconian measures.
This page was last updated 12/12/01