Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Minutes of March 11, 2007 (Breakfast Meeting)
Held at The Green at 10:30 AM.
Attendance
Members
: Elsa Avisa, Bob Berman, Rita Blum,Gerard Desilets, Pat Dunne, Esther Hopkins, Donna Howland, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Cesar Monzon, Valerie Mulvey, Mary Murphy, Betty Muto, Joan Rastani, Chris Ross, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid
Associate Members: Gerry Heng, Beverly Hugo, Laura Medrano, Farooq Mirza, Pamela Roberts
Presentations by Candidates for Town Offices
Reminder - elections this Tuesday, March 27!
The candidates were given 2 minutes to talk about their qualifications and why they were running for office, and then more time to answer questions. Jerry Desilets was the able moderator for the event.
- Adam Blumer - School Committee, 3 years
- Steven Hakar - School Committee, 3 years
- Ceasar Monzon (Incumbent) - School Committee, 3 years
- Adam Blumer - School Committee, 3 years
- Beverly Hugo - School Committee, 2 years
- Charles Sisitsky (Incumbent) - Selectman
- Ginger Esty (Incumbent) - Selectman
- Thomas Leddy - Keefe Tech School Committee
- John Kahn (Incumbent) - Keefe Tech School Committee (John Kahn was absent because of illness, so a statement was read out)
- Elizabeth Fideler - Library Trustee, 3 years (write-in candidate)
- Danielle Barney - Library Trustee, 1 years (write-in candidate)
Business
Joan Rastani presented the report of the Caucus Committee:
On Feb. 11 the FTDC had the caucus for the 2007 Democratic Convention which will take place on May 10 at UMASS Amherst. Results - Female delegates: Elsa Avisa, Claire Farragher, Dawn Harkness, Kristin Harkness, Esther Hopkins, Beverly Hugo, Lora McCoy, Dylan McCoy, Laura Medrano, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Faith Tolson-Pierce, Joan Rastani, Pam Roberts, Norma Shulman, Rochelle Sivan, Carol Spack. Male delegates: Robert Berman, Carlos Cunningham, Gerard Desilets, Gerald Heng, Stephen Joyce, Lloyd Kaye, Chris Lorant, Michael Magnani, David Magnani, Farooq Mirza, Wesley Ritchie, Alan Silber, John Stefanini. Alternate delegate: Maureen Dunne. Add-on delegate: Kathie McCarthy. Coming as Ex-officio delegates: Parwez Wahid FDTC Chair, and Rep. Pam Richardson.
Caucus Committee: Parwez, Norma, Joan and Rochelle. Bob Berman assisted with registration.
Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Minutes from January 21 accepted.
The May meeting was moved to May 6th.
Elsa Avisa and Norma Shulman volunteered to buy or obtain a canopy which the committee could use for future Flag Days and Concerts on the Green.
It was moved that the DTC contribute 50$ to sponsor the MW Dems Brunch which will take place at 10am in Hudson, on March 25th, at the Portuguese Club.
Sarah Micciche was elected as the new Vice Chair, and Elsa Avisa was elected to fill the vacancy in membership. Congratulations to Sarah and Elsa!
There will now be beverages and possibly snacks offered at the DTC meetings. The responsibility for providing the refreshments will rotate each meeting, two at a time. 50$ was appropriated for this purpose. The first volunteers for the next DTC meeting - Pam Roberts and Rochelle Sivan.
Other Speakers / Announcements
Robert Cassidy from the State Committee talked about his efforts to bring about a change in how driver licenses in Massachusetts get revoked in cases of handicaps or disabilities. Currently, a driver license can be revoked within 14 days at a policeman’s request, without even a hearing. Bob wants this policy changed to enable the driver to at least have a hearing. (SD01196, submitted by Sen. Karen Spilka).
Norma Shulman and Donna Howland talked about the great success of the showing of the movie "An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore. It was such a success that there will be another showing, but perhaps this time in a larger venue.
Rochelle Sivan talked about the committee to save progressive radio in Boston. http://www.bostonprogressivetalk.net
On April 12, from 8 to 10am, the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce is having a breakfast at the Framingham Sheraton hotel with keynote speaker Gov. Deval Patrick who will talk about civic engagement.
Report from the Hill - Sen. Karen Spilka
The budget came out. Framingham got more than before - more from the state lottery; transportation will now be included in the special ed. budget; E.S.L. got more funds; and the Chapter 70 school funding formula now weighs each district’s aggregate income and aggregate property wealth equally in calculating its target local contribution, and this benefits Framingham.
The committees structures were finalized. Sen. Spilka is chair of the Children & Families Committee.
Sen. Spilka is pushing to allow municipalities other means of raising money, such as a meals tax.
Report from the Hill - Rep. Pam Richardson
Despite what’s in the newspapers there’s support for Gov. Patrick in the Legislature, and the Governor shows an active interest and attends meetings and asks questions.
The 2 Framingham reps (Tom Sannicandro and Pam Richardson) are looking at public housing. Framingham has 1000 units.
Tom Sannicandro and Pam Richardson are going to meet with the Ways and Means Chair.
Next Meeting - April 1, 7:00pm, The Framingham Green
Rochelle Sivan ·
(508) 333-5698 ·
shellyis@gmail.com