SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
6:45 pm, County Building cafeteria, 70 W. Hedding St. San Jose
MINUTES FOR Thursday, December 6th, 2007
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Absent: Julie Lind, Deepka Lalwani, Ron Lind, Marsha Grilli, Sara Lind, Pearl Cheng, Margaret Abe-Koga, David Parker, Alex Kennett, Dan Kenney, Dennis Kennedy, Greg Sellers, Veronica Andrade, Peter Arellano, Alberto Torrico, Jim Beall, Anna Caballero, Ellen Corbett, Joe Simitian, Anna Eshoo
Excused: Omar Torres, Jim Brady
Alternate: Alex Kobayashi for Ira Ruskin, Claudia Shope for Joe Coto, Jon Kessler for Elaine Alquist, Swanee Edwards for Jerry McNerney, Mike Honda, Diego Barragan for Zoe Lofgren
3. IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS
San Jose City Councilmember Madison Nguyen, San Jose City Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio, Ash Kalra, Bill Roth- Catholic Democrats of California, Roma Dawson ÐCity Councilmember Sam LiccardoÕs Office, Mark ÐVice Mayor Dave Cortese, Charles Lee ÐProspect High School, Norm Tarowsky- President Elect Evergreen Democratic Club
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Addition of Proposition 92, motion to approve with addition, second, so carried
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Minutes are posted at sccdp.org)
Motion to approve, second, so carried
6. ISSUES
Assemblymember John Laird
The Assemblymember discussed: Health Care, Water/ Environmental Impact, the Budget, and the Term Limits Measure.
Roma Dawson from San Jose City Councilmember Sam LiccardoÕs Office: Upcoming study session on Work Force Housing next Tuesday Dec 11th
Proposition 92: Chris Stampolis
If Proposition 92 passes, it assures that the Community Colleges receive the 11% money allotted to them by Prop. 98.
Suggest that the Central Committee endorse this proposition. The matter will be referred to the executive board.
San Jose City Councilmember Madison Nguyen: discussed the strike. Thanked the members for all of their support during the current issues.
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS
A. Executive Board: Hope Cahan
No report
B. Chair: Steve Preminger:
I hope everyone read the article in the Mercury about our wonderful democratic volunteers, featuring Dan Hoffman and Mary Barmettler.
C. Vice Chair: James Kim
A few of the elected members have been missing meetings, please make sure that you appoint an alternate to cover your absences
Democratic Clubs 4th Holiday Party on December 21 at 6:00 at Tom and ParrisÕ house.
D. Treasurer: Drina Collins
Thank you to the Electeds who paid their dues (Zoe Lofgren, Mike Honda, and their alternates are the latest). All Electeds and their alternates are expected to pay dues and we really appreciate those who do so.
Our current balance is: $2,247.49
E. Secretary: Hope Cahan
Thanks to the generous donations from the SCCDCC and their clubs (and my daughterÕs preschool), I sent 10 very large boxes of clothes to Afghanistan. I really appreciate all of the kind donations and ask that club representatives thank their members for their donations.
F. Community Services and Voter Registration: Adrienne Grey
Santa Clara County Democratic Club led by Bill and Mary Barmettler had a success at Valley Fair Mall with voter registration and Mary Anne Tisdale covered the Junior State of America event and brought in $75 in donations.
G. Finance: Jim Thurber
H. Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement: Jon Kessler
I. Communication: David Cohen
We have a new volunteer for our blog! Please check out www.sccdp.ning.com to write your own blogs.
J. Campaign Services: Tom Cochran
Have a good holiday
K. Political Outreach: Carolyn Curtis
We had a successful meeting at 5:30 with representatives from almost all of the clubs.
Thank you to the Moorpark Club for bringing the refreshments. Mission City will bring them for January and the Dean Club will bring them for February.
Club Reports
Dean Democratic Club: Wanda Bryan
November 19, 2007 Meeting:
-Voted on sending a letter to Senator Feinstein thanking her for not granting immunity to telecoms and expressing disapproval of her votes in the Senate and Judiciary Committee for not listening to her constituents - passed.
-Plan to attend Presidential Primary Straw Poll Sun., Dec. 9, 2007, Noon to 5pm., Sherwood Hall, Salinas CA.
December 5, 2007 Meeting:
-Holiday Party potluck/Brainstorming goals for 2008, held at club member Marcene Van Dierendonck's house.
-Signed letter to Senator Feinstein.
-Reported on goal accomplishments for 2007 - Impressive!
-Brainstormed goals for 2008 will prioritize at Jan. 14, 2008 meeting.
-Luncheon for Ira Ruskin co-sponsor with the Peninsula Democratic Club, San Mateo DFA and Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley Sat., Jan 12, 2008, 12 Noon, Location to be determined.
-Veteran's Phone Cards Biannual Collection - collected $200 and still collecting.
-Chose names of Iowa Democratic Voters to Write and Send letters asking them to choose a Progressive Candidate for President in their caucus location.
Evergreen Democratic Club At the Villages: Beverly Waller Wharton
Four members of our club (which now has 232 members) attended the earlier club get-together this evening: namely our President-elect Norm Tarowsky, myself, and Rena And Marv Modell.
Club member, Mike Zimmerman, who leads our monthly Thursday Discussion Group, attended a recent Resolution Peace meeting.
Our club is sending an acknowledgement of our appreciation to Representative Henry Waxman, commending him for his courage and effort in investigating a variety of the Bush AdministrationÕs activities. Too often we only complain and rarely do we thank or commend our congressional representatives.
At last TuesdayÕs meeting, Mr. Galvin Jackson, candidate for District 8Õs seat on the San Jose City Council, spoke about his qualifications to represent our district.
We were also honored to have our SCCDCC Chair, Steve Preminger, address us, primarily on the issue of amending Prop 13. During the question/answer period, members asked Steve a variety of thoughtful questions and offered opinions and comments on a number of current issues.
Peninsula Democratic Coalition: Rich Watters
1) This coming Sunday, December 9th, the PDC will host Stanford Law School Professor Mariano-Florentino Cuellar at a luncheon to be held at noon at the Jade Palace Restaurant in Palo Alto. Professor Cuellar will speak on the relationship between national security and US constitutional rights. He is an outstanding speaker and widely respected expert who has testified before the Senate Judicial Committee on this vital subject. We urge people to attend. The cost of the luncheon is a very reasonable $20.00.
2) The PDC will hold its annual holiday party Saturday evening, December 15th, at the home of Jim and Emy Thurber in Los Altos. People who would like to attend are asked to bring finger-food or an hors dÕoeuvre, and $5.00 to help defray costs of refreshments.
South County Democratic Club: Swanee Edwards
Please join us for the First 2008 Presidential Primary in the Nation event on Sunday December 9th from 12noon to 5pm at the Salinas Community Center-Sherwood Hall at 940 North Main Street in Salinas. This is an event to support the Democratic Candidates and join other Democratic activists from Central California. For additional information, visit www.montereycountydemocrats.org/node/316.
L. Regional Director: Emy Thurber
The Executive Board meeting in Anaheim became contentious over the Censure Resolution against Diane Feinstein
M. Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis
Hotel set aside for us for the DNC Convention in Denver, but it will be expensive. The candidates were very polished in their last discussion. DNC now officially encourages people to get involved in Democratic Clubs. In the near future you will be able to designate your race in a more detailed manner on documents.
N. Pro-Choice Coalition: Claudia Shope
SEXUAL ABUSE REPORTING ACT (new initiative) Ð TERMINATED
Another parental notification initiative was filed yet again with the Secretary of State for title and summary. The proponent, John Smith, is the same person who submitted the so-called Sexual Abuse Reporting Act that is currently in circulation (see below).
07-0053. ÒChild and Teen Safety and Stop Predators Act: Sarah LawÓ
Proponent: John Smith
This proposed initiative would amend the California Constitution to require parental notification for any unemancipated minor seeking an abortion. The notification could be waived by the parent or a court, or the notification can be given to a responsible adult family member if the minor fears physical, sexual, or severe emotional abuse and a child abuse report is made.
The proposed initiative must collect 694,354 valid signatures by April 18, 2008.
It has been reported that signatures are being collected in Central Valley. According to one of the signatures gatherer, the rate for one signature is $1.
If you see any signature gatherers in your area, please find out as much information as you can, including if they are being paid and how much. Please contact Buu Thai to give her the information at (408) 297-9255 X 217 or buu_thai@ppmarmonte.org.
PRO-CHOICE COALITION MEETING - No meeting in December.
O. DTV Report: Steve Chessin
Democratic Television Producer Steve Chessin reported that our November taping was with San Jose City Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio, who represents District 6.
Our guest in December will be Dr. Lauren Speeth, CEO of the Elfenworks Foundation.
We will be on San Jose Comcast Channel 15A December 13th with State Senator Corbett, December 27th and January 24th with Councilmember Oliverio, and January 10th and February 7th with Dr. Lauren Speeth.
See the sccdp web site for the schedule in the other communities, and to download our shows.
We could still use more good Democrats on the crew. No prior video experience is necessary.
San Jose Channel 15A (also serves part of Cupertino), 8:00pm every other Thursday (408-918-3200):
2007:
Dec 13 DTV 153 Sen. Ellen Corbett
Dec 27 DTV 154 Hon. Pierluigi Oliverio
2008:
Jan 10 DTV 155 Dr. Lauren Speeth
Jan 24 DTV 154 Hon. Pierluigi Oliverio
Feb 7 DTV 155 Dr. Lauren Speeth
Feb 21 DTV 156 TBD-156
Mar 6
Mar 20 DTV 156 TBD-156
P. CDC Report: Jay Jackman
Good CDC presence at the Eboard meeting in Anaheim. Art Torres introduced the new president of CDC, maintaining and expanding the relationship between the Party and CDC. San Diego has established a commitment to the development and expansion of clubs as a way to get local Democrats actively involved.
9. OLD BUSINESS
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Motion to make the January meeting on the 10th instead of the 3rd, second, so carried
Jay Jackman: hosting fundraiser for Charlie Brown on Sunday, January 27th at 2pm at the Jackman home
892 Lathrop Drive, Stanford
Carol Garvey: The Local 521 retirement luncheon is on December 11 at local 521, $10 cost
Emy Thurber: PDC Luncheon this Sunday, should be very interesting. It will be at Jade Palace restaurant at 12noon.
The Century Club Holiday Lunch is on December 14th in the Mediterranean Center at the Holiday Inn.
Buu Thai: reception for Paul Fong on Friday, December 14th at Tom CochranÕs house from 6-9. Please rsvp to jameskim100@yahoo.com
Ash Kalra: running for San Jose City Council District 2 and have an event Sunday December 16th
Dan Hoffman: Martin Luther King Spiritual Night is Thursday January 17th, Breakfast is Monday, January 21st at the Wyndham Hotel, and the Annual Freedom Train will be directly following.
Craig Mann: Would appreciate your support on my campaign.
Bui Thang: Running for San Jose City Council District 22
Assemblymember Sally Lieber: Happy Holidays to everyone. Chris Riley is here with us from the Democratic Party in Michigan and is working hard to protect the state tax increase that was passed there to create a safety net for the state.
11-1 fundraising event for the State Democratic Party on Sunday December 9th.
11. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
The next Executive Board meeting is TBA
12. ADJOURNMENT: 9:15