SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

6:45 PM, County Building Cafeteria, 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose

MINUTES FOR Thursday, December 3, 2009

 

 

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER: 7:15pm

 

  1. ROLL CALL

a.       Absent:  Bill Ferguson, Ron Lind, Xavier Campos, Denise Alejandro, Rebecca Scheel, Bruce Morasca, Tony Alexander, Alberto Torrico, Ira Ruskin, Jim Beall, Bill Monning, Anna Caballero, Joe Simitian, Elaine Alquist, Carol Garvey, Erica Schaefer, and Rob Means.

b.       Alternates For:  Tom Cochran, Ken Yeager, Hope Cahan, Paul Fong, Joe Coto, Ellen Corbett, Jerry McNerney, Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Nancy Smith, Rena Modell, Martin Monica, Clarence Madrilejos, and Andy Parker.

c.        Excused:  None

 

  1. IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS

Janis Moon,, Galen Swain, Tamela Croft-Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Gerry Hunt, Renee Reid, Donald Rocha-Cambrian School District Board Member and Candidate for San Jose City County District 9, Dan Kenney, Arthur Grisham, Paul Highby, Elspeth Farmer-California Democratic Executive Board, and Forrest Williams-Candidate for County Supervisor District 1.

 

  1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

a.       New Business – Addition of Stupak Ban Presentation, Nomination of 27th AD Delegate, and Discussion of California Lt. Governor Vacancy.

b.       Motion to Approve as Amended; Seconded; Motion Approved.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Minutes are/will be posted at sccdp.org)

a.       November 5, 2009 Minutes

b.       Amendment to Club Reports:  Santa Clara Democratic Club’s Annual Holiday Event is the December 10 not December 12 as indicated in minutes.

c.        Move to Approve as Amended; Seconded; Motion Approved.

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS

a.       Stupak Ban Presentation

                                             i.            A petition passed around to attendees for signature.  In addition, action sheets were distributed.

                                            ii.            The Stupak ban on abortion is currently in the healthcare House bill.

                                          iii.            The House bill indicates that anyone getting Federal subsidy on their healthcare coverage will be banned from abortion coverage.  Abortion coverage is currently covered under comprehensive health coverage.  This is the biggest setback this generation and is one way to ban abortion.

                                          iv.            On December 3, 2009, Utah State Senator, Oran Hatch, is going to be introducing a similar statement to be included in the Senate Bill.

                                           v.            A National Day for Action was held on December 2, 2009 in Washington DC.  Approximately 1000 people participated.

                                          vi.            Suggested attendees talk with their Senators, contact with Senator Reed’s office, and educate people to make sure this ban does not go into the final healthcare bill.

                                        vii.            Petitions were sent on December 3, 2009 to President Obama and Senators Pelosi and Reed.  Petitions to Senators Feinstein and Boxer have already been sent.

               

b.       Nomination for 27th AD Delegate Vacancy

                                             i.            Swanee Edwards nominated Dan Kenney as 27th AD delegate.

                                            ii.            Motion to Approve Dan Kenney as 27th AD delegate; Seconded; Motion Approved.

               

c.        Discussion of California Lt. Governor Vacancy

                                          i.               Chris Stampolis informed attendees that Senator Abel Maldonado’s name has been mentioned as the next Lt. Governor to replace now Congressman John Garamendi.

                                         ii.               Maldonado’s seat dissolves in 2012 due to redistricting.

                                       iii.               Suggested delegates vote to not approve Maldonado as next California Lt. Governor.

                                       iv.               A suggestion was made that Steve Preminger refer to the Executive Board for discussion and bring back language to January, 2010 meeting.

                                        v.               Motion to take a straw vote for Maldonado to become next Lt. Governor; Seconded.

1.       Show of Cards:  3 Approved; Balance Opposed; Motion Failed.

                                       vi.               Motion to conduct a straw poll as to where the body stands; Seconded.

1.       Show of Cards:  12 Approved; 20 Opposed; Motion Failed.

2.       Proposed Language:  “Should this body take a position asking our elected members to not confirm Abel Maldonado”.

                                     vii.               Call for Question; Seconded; Motion Approved.

 

  1. OLD BUSINESS

 

  1. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS

a.       Executive Board:  Margie Mitchell

a.       Executive Board Meeting to be held on December 14, 2009.  Location TBD.

b.       Chair:  Steve Preminger

a.       Received resignation from Finance Director, Jim Thurber.  Steve accepted resignation.  Jim has been the Finance Director 18 or 19 years.  Thanked Jim for his decades of service.  Recommendations for replacement to be referred to Executive Board

b.       Moving forward with J J Dinner.  Attorney General, Jerry Brown, has been contacted to be speaker at dinner.

c.        Had a request to have a presentation regarding the split roll property tax measure.  Steve has referred to the Executive Board.  Presentation will be done at January, 2010 meeting.

d.       Welcomed Adrianne Grey, West Valley/Mission College Community College Board Member.

c.        Vice Chair:  Clark Williams

a.       Nothing to Report

d.       Treasurer:  Drina Collins

a.       Balance:  $387.73.

b.       Currently upgrading our database.

c.        Will be going after some of the alternates for due payments.

d.       A full report will be given at the January, 2010 meeting.

e.        Secretary:  Margie Mitchell

a.       Nothing to Report

f.        Community Services and Voter Registration: Judy Pipkin

a.       Nothing to Report

g.        Finance:  Jim Thurber

a.       Nothing to Report

h.       Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement:  Jon Kessler

a.       Nothing to Report

i.         Communications:  David Cohen

a.       Nothing to Report

j.         Campaign Services:  Tom Cochran

a.       Nothing to Report

k.       Political Outreach (Clubs):  Diane Rolfe

a.       Diane thanked the Evergreen DemClub for refreshments; next month will be Milpitas and South County DemClubs.

b.       A Call-For-Action will be happening in March, 2010.

l.         Regional Director:  Emy Thurber

a.       A successful executive meeting was held in San Diego.  Informed attendees that party is united.  Progressive caucus is approximately 900 members and made their presence felt.

b.       Resolution on Afghanistan, which gave direction to begin exit strategy for our troops, passed single payer healthcare system, and immigration (child born in U.S.) some people want to change this.

c.        Pre-endorsements to be held March 20 and 21, 2010.  Final date to be determined.  Encouraged clubs to submit their rosters.  Rosters need to be given to Emy no later than December 31, 2009.  Club rosters are to be submitted by AD along with all club member’s address and e-mail addresses.  Clubs need to notify Emy who their delegates are going to be.

d.       Shawn Bagley:  2008 – “Take Back the White House: and 2010 – “Take Back the House”.

m.     Democratic National Committee:  Chris Stampolis

a.       National Executive Committee will be meeting next weekend to look at upcoming congressional cycle in addition to looking at polling data of potential turnout for next year.  Informed attendees that 40% of democrats polled were unlikely to vote in mid-term elections.

n.       Pro-Choice Coalition:  Claudia Shope

a.       Thanked everyone who signed the abortion petition.

o.       DTV Report:  Steve Chessin

a.       November Guest – Supervisor, Ken Yeager.  December guest TBD.

p.       CDC Report:  Jay Jackman

a.       Nothing to Report

 

  1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
    1. Omar Torres – Thanked those who supported Young Democrat, Becky Dalton, for DNC member.
    2. Steve Chessin – None of us are eligible to serve on the Re-Districting Committee.  Accepting applications through December 15, 2009.  For additional information:  www.bsa.ca.gov.  For platform information - cali4us@cadem.org.
    3. Republican Damon Dunn, former NFL football player, has announced his candidacy to run against Debra Bowen for Secretary of State.  Dunn is the 2nd Republican to announce their candidacy.
    4. Anne Mack – December 11, 2009 at noon in the Willows Room will be the Century Club’s Annual Party.  All Legislatures have been invited.
    5. Clark Williams – On Thursday, December 10, 2009, from 6-8pm an event is being held for Nora Campos for State Assembly at the home of Meri Maben.
    6. Bill Brady - Raising monies for Team In Training.  Funds are used to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
    7. Steve Preminger - Eric Larson became new City of San Jose Planning Commissioner.

 

  1. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT  at 8:45 PM In honor of Jim Thurber as Finance Director.

 

Club Reports:

 

South County DemClub:  Regular meeting is January 23, 2010.  Excited to announce Holiday Christmas Party with Gerry McNerney.  Party will be in Morgan Hill on December 19 from 6-8pm.

 

Milpitas DemClub:  Next meeting to be held on Thursday, December 10, 2009.  Will be discussing the WalMart expansion.

 

Obama DemClub:  Health insurance reform has moved through house.  Next Thursday night, December 10, 2009, the Club will be hosting a Hope and Peace Benefit to benefit club and Martin Luther King Project.

 

Peninsula DemClub:  PDC’s Annual Party will be December 12, 2009 at the residence of Jim and Emy Thurber.  Requested attendees to send articles to add to newsletter.

 

SVYD:  Holiday Party and toy drive will be December 21, 2009.  The toy drive to benefit Sacred Heart Community Services of San Jose.

 

DemCaucus of SJSU:  Meet and Greet with 21st AD Democrat candidates on December 8, 2009 from 4:30 to 5:30pm at the San Jose State University Student Union

 

Santa Clara Co DemClub:  Holiday Party and silent auction to be held on December 10, 2009.

 

DEAN DemClub:  Holiday Party was held on December 2, 2009.  Next club meeting will be held on January 19, 2010 to discuss goals.  The Club purchased a ½ page ad in J J Dinner program for J J Dinner.  New Co-Chair is Melody Marciana.

 

Bay Area for A Change:  Holiday Party to be held on December 16, 2009 at 6:30pm at the home of Alyson Abramowitz on Finch Way in Sunnyvale.  The event will be potluck.

 

Sunnyvale DemClub:  Holiday Party to be held on December 19, 2009, at the Willow Ranch Mobile Home Park in the Community Room in Sunnyvale.

 

Silicon ValleyDemClub:  Karaoke Holiday Party to be held on December 9, 2009 at Kyoto Palace.  Cost $15 for buffet dinner.

 

Stanford Dems:  Healthcare panel with Stanford Professors were held during the week of November 16, 2009.  Club is currently working to get Jerry Brown to speak at a club meeting.