SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
6:45 pm, County Building cafeteria, 70 W. Hedding St. San Jose
MINUTES FOR Thursday, July 6th, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER: 7:15
2. ROLL CALL
Absent: Francine Davis, Bill Dias, Cathy Dias, Deepka Lalwani, Thelma Spaziani, Francis La Poll, Scott Rafferty, Vince Cortese, Deniese Alejandro, Xavier Campos, David Cohen, Jacquie Heffner, Kevin Moore, Alex Kennett, Mark Moore, Dan Kenney, Brittany Bach, Craig Mann, Tony Alexander, Alberto Torrico, Liz Figueroa, Joe Simitian, Elaine Alquist, Peg Pinard, Jerry McNerney, Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, Ruth Ashford, John Nguyen, Fran Bennett, Anil Babbar, Enrique Colin
Alternate: Brandon Sulser for Anna Song, Swannee Edwards for Dennis Kennedy, Rebecca Scheel for Bruce Morasca, Bill James for Sally Lieber, Mike Potter for Joe Coto, Jon Kessler for Rebecca Cohn, Clark Williams for John Laird, Sal Alvarez for Simon Salinas, Mike Honda, Clarence Madrilejos for Herb Wadley
Excused: Kristine Dillon
3. IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS
David Parker, Diane Rolfe, Dave Karson, Jolyn Liu, Paul Cigno, Margaret Kriete, Wanda Bryan, Mariam Karson, Julie Nelson
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion to approve, second, so carried
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Minutes are posted at sccdp.org)
Motion to approve, second, so carried
6. ISSUES
Presentation on current Iranian events: Mehrdad Moayedzadeh
á Dangers of a nuclear Iran
á The impacts of our Iran foreign policy
á The Iranian versions of Ahmed Chalabi
á Dangers of attacking Iran
á Pros & cons of sanctions
Ira Ruskin: discussed current legislative activities and an event this Sunday to introduce Jerry McNerney.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Resolution on Allegations against Gov. Schwarzenegger
WHEREAS Gov. Schwarzenegger had promised to retain an independent investigator
to inquire into allegations that he had groped at least 16 women and has since
reneged on that promise; and
WHEREAS these allegations are very serious in that those actions are not only
demeaning to women but may result in felony charges; and
WHEREAS a public official must abide by a campaign promise relating to a matter
of this gravity;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that an investigation and public hearing be conducted
into these allegations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a confidential toll-free telephone number for
women to lodge complaints of groping by Mr. Schwarzenegger be set up by the law
enforcement agency with jurisdiction to investigate the charges.
Submitted by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party
July 6, 2006
An amendment was proposed by Dan Hoffman to add wording indicating that upon passage and consideration by the State Executive Board, this resolution be released to the media.
Steve Preminger explained that we could pass the resolution and refer it to Emy Thurber to revise with comments and then send to the State Party Executive Board.
Motion to pass the resolution as amended and have Emy revise and then pass onto the State Party Executive Board. Second, motion passes.
8. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS
A. Executive Board: Hope Cahan
The Executive Board discussed necessary preparations for the upcoming election, issues of import to bring to the Central Committee, the resolution against Schwarzenegger, voter registration for the Pombo race, and fundraising needs for our federal account.
B. Chair: Steve Preminger
Steve has been working on getting the UDC campaign offices funded and off the ground and has been working to help fight Pombo.
C. Vice Chair: James Kim
Everyone is invited to the joint club picnic on July 29th at Rainbow Park in West San Jose.
D. Treasurer: Drina Collins
$644.50
E. Secretary: Hope Cahan
No report
F. Community Services and Voter Registration: Carolyn Curtis
We are well into street fair season and we have a strong presence at the fairs and festivals around the county.
Adrianne: we had a very successful voter registration drive over the 4th of July weekend and have a number of upcoming events that everyone may volunteer for.
G. Finance: Jim Thurber
We need money for our federal account!
H. Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement: Jon Kessler
Endorsement committee needs to meet the last week of August and possibly the 1st week of September, before our September meeting. Races include Milpitas, Mountain View, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara, Campbell, Monte Sereno, and a number of school boards.
I. Communication: David Cohen
J. Campaign Services: Philip Bump
K. Issues: Herb Engstrom
L. Political Outreach: Tom Cochran
Thank you to the Young Democrats for providing the pizza and water this evening.
Club, AD, SD, & CD Reports
Silicon Valley LGBT Democratic Club: Clark Williams
The Silicon Valley LGBT Democratic Club organized and led a very successful booth at the 2006 San Jose LGBT Pride Festival. For two days, a dozen club members registered new voters, educated LGBT residents on our party's endorsed candidates and passed out more than 1,000 "Proud To Be A Democrat" lapel stickers. The club wants to thank the Democratic Party for paying for the booth and expresses its appreciation to Adrienne for helping to organize the booth.
Santa Clara County Democratic Club: Alicia Lanier
Our club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Champagne Garden Party on Sunday, June 25, 2006 at the historic Jamison-Brown House in Santa Clara. A beautiful location, club history displays, a musical photo montage on DVD, a wine buffet, a banjo band, raffle, and special
guests all combined to make this a truly memorable event.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren was special guest speaker and Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan presented a city proclamation honoring the club. Other elected officials who spoke to the crowd were Assemblymember Ira Ruskin, SCC Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Beall, San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, and San Jose Councilman Chuck Reed. Several candidates running for elective office also attended and spoke briefly.
Former State Senator Dan McCorquodale, founder of the club, also spoke. Shirley Odou, editor of The Democratic Voice and a co-founder, was presented with a commemorative champagne glass to honor her as the longest active club member.
In July, the club will be a co-host for the All Democratic Clubs Picnic at Rainbow Park on July 29.
Our next meeting will be August 21 at Carrow's Restaurant on El Camino in Santa Clara. Visit our website for more information on activities and events: www.DemocraticClub-scc.org
Evergreen Democratic Club at the Villages: Beverly Wharton
Our scheduled speaker, Chris Stampolis, did not make it to our June meeting; however, he later did send profuse apologies and promises to make amends. Fortunately, we had invited an additional speaker, Christopher Lepe, Outreach Coordinator for the environmental coalition, People for Land and Nature (PLAN), who gave a presentation on their initiative to protect the hillsides, ranch and agricultural lands of Santa Clara County.
Participation in the Villages July 4th celebration substituted for our July meeting. Our parade entry, 6 marchers and 2 decorated red convertibles (one with a boom box playing Sousa marches and the other featuring a trombonist) received loud applause and Òhooray for DemocratsÓ shouts from spectators along the parade route.
Bob Applebaum reported that our voter registration table garnered 12 registrationsÑ4 Republicans and 8 Democrats (two switched from Republican to Decline to State). Five Democrats joined our club, bringing our total to 241, and several others took membership forms home to fill out. We heard the Republican Club has only 231 members. They also had a Chocoholic booth which Bob called Òbitter-sweet.Ó
Next month, 23rd Assemblymember Joe Coto and 28th Assembly candidate Anna Caballero will be our speakers.
Bay Area Iranian Democrats: Morteza Tajally
Bay Area Iranian American Democrats are and will be dedicating most of their time and effort to educating and promoting a peaceful solution to Iran's standoff.
On Thursday June 29th, we held a round table discussion on the topic of "Dangers of Attacking Iran" led by Dr. Zahedi, a political Lecturer and teacher at UC Berkeley. It was a great opportunity for all attendees to voice their opinion. We will have another round table discussion on August 31st around the same topic.
We also have joined other clubs for the picnic and are promoting it in our community.
Penisula Democratic Coaltion: Rich Waters
The Peninsula Democratic Coalition Board held its regular monthly meeting on June 14th.
PDC was delighted to host a Legislative Luncheon featuring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo on Saturday, June 24th. The Congresswoman gave her views of recent Republican legislative maneuvers, reviewed prospects for a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives this fall, and regaled PDC members with her tart observations about some of her honorable colleagues.
PDC members continue to support voter registration activities here in Santa Clara County, including staffing of VR tables at the Los Altos Art and Wine Festival this week-end (July 8th and 9th).
We are looking forward to our annual summer picnic, to be held August 19th at Shoup Park in Los Altos.
Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley: Wanda Bryan
We had our annual picnic on Sunday, June 25th and elected our steering committee for the new term. Jamie and Vanessa came by to wish us well, and Jerry McNerney came over from across the Bay to give us a campaign update.
At our meetings yesterday, we participated in a conference call with Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America, who reported that DFA raised a million dollars in the first half of this year and gave out $350,000 to candidates (which includes Cindy Chavez and Jerry McNerney). A number of us are going to San Diego this month for Democracy Fest, the national ÒconventionÓ of DFA- allied groups and other progressives.
We reviewed the DFA Night School topic Òrecruiting and organizing volunteers,Ó with the emphasis on Òyou must have a well thought out plan before you begin.Ó We planned an office cleaning and organizing of the SCC Democratic Headquarters at the Labor Temple Suite 114 on Friday, July 7th from 6-8pm
South County Democratic Club: Swanee Edwards
We are having our annual FUNdraiser on August 20th from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at The Woodland Estates Clubhouse at 850 West Middle Avenue in Morgan Hill. Featured guests include: John Garamendi, Jerry McNerney, Karyn Sinunu, Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy and the Morgan Hill City Council. Water District Director Rosemary Kamei, Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero, Open Space Director and City Council Candidate Alex Kennett, and Gilroy City Council Members, Pete Correa and Peter Arellano, round out the special guest list. Surprise Guest Simon Salinas will also be in attendance. For more in formation, please contact Swanee Edwards at:408-782-1017/ swanee@garlic.com or democlub@garlic.com .
M. Regional Director: Emy Thurber
The California Democratic Party Eboard meeting is Friday August 4th and Saturday the 5th in Burlingame. If anyone is interested in attending, let Emy know.
The July 29th picnic will be carrying out the DNC national commitment to getting more people involved.
The Angelides campaign would like to set up steering committees in each district. Let Emy know if you are interested in being on one of these committees
N. Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis
The next meeting will be on the 3rd weekend of August in Chicago. If you have any questions or input on rural outreach, please submit it to Chris so that he may add that input during the gathering in Chicago. Restructuring of the primary elections is also on the agenda for discussion at the meeting.
O. Pro-Choice Coalition: Claudia Shope
The Pro-Choice Coalition of Santa Clara County is actively seeking new board members. To get involved please contact Erika Jackson erikamjackson@gmail.com for information a bout commitment and board meeting times.
Proponents of last years failed Proposition 73 have qualified an almost identical initiative for NovemberÕs ballot, which will be called Proposition 85 this time around. Parental notification laws put an unnecessary burden on doctors and threaten the health and safety of California teens. The campaign to oppose this dangerous initiative is being formed in Santa Clara County. The campaign will be reaching out to progressive organizations to secure endorsements and to recruit new supporters. Please contact Katie Desmond to lend your support or that of your organization (408) 297-9255 ext 217 or Katie_desmond@ppmarmonte.org.
The FDA approved a new vaccine that is expected to greatly reduce cervical cancer. The vaccine prevents a type of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that is believed to cause cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. Following the FDAÕs decision, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend routine vaccination of females 11-12 years of age with the HPV vaccine. ACIP also voted in favor of allowing the vaccination series to be stated as young as age 9. In addition, the committee recommended vaccination for females 13-26 years of age who have not been previously vaccinate. Immediately following the vote on recommendations for routine vaccination, ACIP voted to include the HPV vaccine in the Vaccines for Children (VCF) Program for youth 9 through 18 years of age. The ACIP votes were a very positive step towards ensuring widespread vaccination. In addition to including the vaccine in the VFC program, ACIP recommendations exert significant influence over private insurance coverage, coverage in other publicly funded programs, and whether or not states mandate vaccination as a part of school entry requirements.
P. DTV Report: Steve Chessin
Q. CDC Report: Jay Jackman
The Executive committee will be meeting on Friday August 4th from 2:30-4 during the State Party Executive Board meeting.
9. OLD BUSINESS
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
We the People: Adam
Will be educating the public about the cost of Pombo and corruption to the public through 100 house meetings with 10 people each and then to get each one to reach out to 25 additional people.
Additionally, volunteer for New Leaders Council, which recruits and trains young progressive leaders (21-35) is accepting nominations to the program. If you know anyone you would like to nominate, please pick up an application now and hand it into me before you leave this evening.
Bill Ferguson: running for Milpitas City Council and will be having a campaign kickoff on July 23 at 2pm at the home of Jennifer Touchton and Erik Larsen at 753 Kizer St, Milpitas.
David Parker: recently elected to the DCCC. There is a current vacancy on the 23rd AD Central Committee and David asked that the current members nominate and elect him to this position.
Mike Potter: Here on behalf of Cindy Chavez who wanted to thank you for all of your help on the election. There is a free BBQ as a thank you for helping out on CindyÕs campaign this Saturday from 12-3. And, thank you for supporting Alberto Torrico.
Drina Collins: Manny Diaz and his wife just had their baby
Adrianne Grey: George Lakoff will be appearing in San Jose on July 20th hosted by the Commonwealth Club. There will be a book signing following the event.
Carolyn Curtis: Jerry McNerney won 2 national online contests for support for his election and is in the final running for www.forwardtogetherpac.com/mapchangers . Please sign up to vote for him for this as if he wins, he will receive a healthy donation.
11. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
The next Executive Board meeting TBA
12. ADJOURNMENT: 9:20