Framingham
Democratic Town Committee
Minutes
of September 19, 2004
Held
at Framingham Green from 7pm to 9pm.
Attendance
Members: Steve Blesofsy, Debbie Blumer, Nancy Coville
Wallace, Jerry Desilets, Bill Haberman, Esther Hopkins, Donna Howland, Ruth
Litter, Chris Lorant, Waldo Lyon, Kathie McCarthy, Terene Micciche, Betty Muto,
Marilyn Safian, Norma Shulman, Chery Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid
Associate Members: Bob Edwards, Tom Sannicandro, Karen
Spilka, Rochelle Sivan, Tom Mahoney.
Others: Herb Chasan, Paul Fahey.
The
DTC welcomes members of the Framingham State College Democrats: Alex Morash,
Jacob Oliveria.
Congratulations
to the Primary winners: Karen Spilka and Tom Sannicandro. Karen and Tom join Debby Blumer on the
November ballot. (Debby did not have a
Primary race.) Jerry Desilets was also
acknowledged for his bid in the Primary Elections. All candidates were given a few minutes to address the assembly. One of the Primary candidates, Chesley
Oriel, was unable to attend but did offer his support to the Democratic nominee
in November. Ginger Esty was out of
state, but also indicated her support.
Adam Sisitsky was expected to attend the meeting.
(Karen
Spilka is seeking election to the 2nd Middlesex Norfolk State Senate seat, Tom
Sannicandro is seeking election to the 7th Middlesex State Representative seat,
and Debby Blumer is seeking re-election to the 6th Middlesex State
Representative seat.)
All
individuals attending the meeting were asked to briefly introduce themselves.
Former
Chair, Steve Blesofsky announced that he and Marilyn are leaving Massachusetts
for Florida. They will remain in
Framingham until after the November elections.
He thanked the DTC for all its efforts in the various activities they
have done together during his term as Chair.
Steve
also mentioned the unity breakfast the day after the Primary Elections and
described the gracious concession speech given by Jerry Desilets at the unity
breakfast. In this speech Jerry offered
his support to Karen Spilka for the November elections.
Various
campaigning activities were announced for state candidates and also for
Kerry/Edwards.
The
May 23rd minutes were accepted with no corrections needed.
Donna
Howland submitted the Treasurer's Report, the DTC has $990.67 in its account; dues for 2004-05 have not yet been
recorded. At least $700 is expected to
be received from the 35 DTC members, plus any additional from Associates.
Bill
Haberman made a motion that the DTC contribute $200 to each of the 3 candidates
seeking the state level positions (Karen, Tom and Debby). An amendment to this was offered by Lyn
Safian to contribute $100, and then possibly another $100 later. It was pointed out that the candidates need
as much support possible right away, therefore the amount given at this time
would be more helpful than money given towards the end of the race.
After
discussion the amendment to the motion was voted on first, this being to
contribute $100 to the 3 candidates.
The amendment to the motion did not pass, 3 to 12. The original motion was then voted on, for
the DTC to contribute $200 to the 3 candidates. The motion passed 12 to 3.
(Donna issued checks to all three candidates before the conclusion of
the meeting.)
The
proposed amendment to the DTC by-laws were presented. Norma acknowledged the by-laws committee for their efforts. Norma also gave mention to Nancy Coville
Wallace and Rochelle Sivan for their role in the program committee. Norma also expressed her thanks to Donna and
Parwez for keeping up with the business of DTC as Norma herself had been busy
with some personal matters during the summer.
Norma
summarized the proposed amendments to the by-laws. These would be brought forth for discussion at the October
meeting and then voted upon at the November meeting. A two-thirds quorum is needed to amend the by-laws.
Some
other items mentioned were the vacancies on the DTC Board. There are presently 3 vacancies (Mat Helman,
Barbara Gray and Barbara Magovsky) and 2 more positions will open after Steve
and Lyn move to Florida. One of the
vacancies is also an officer position, that Vice-Chair. These will be filled at the October meeting,
nominations are requested from the members for all vacancies. Norma Shulman should be contacted by anyone
who is interested in becoming a regular member of the DTC.
Mat
Helman had indicated he would be able to continue to serve as webmaster for the
DTC website. Parwez has been able to
make some changes to the webpage and can handle posting minutes and agenda. The State Committee has offered to host the
DTC's website.
E-mail
buddies are needed for the 3 members who do not keep an email account. An e-mail buddy is a DTC member who assumes
responsibility for contacting their "buddy" with any email updates
that the DTC issues to its members. The
e-mail buddy would typically call or write to their respective assigned contact
to inform them of the updated announcement.
Norma
also mentioned the Juniper Bank credit card that makes contributions to the
Democratic Party from purchases on the credit card. If the application form is filled out with code "F07"
then the Framingham DTC will get $10 for the first purchase on that credit
card. Norma can be contacted for
application forms.
Additional
volunteers are needed for the program committee. The October program might feature a showing of one of the several
election related documentary films. A
hospitality committee would also be needed to arrange for refreshments at
meetings.
Another
need is that of publicity and volunteers are very much needed to address this
area. It was also suggested that a
press release be issued to announce the DTC vacancies.
During the Unity Gathering portion of the meeting, all candidates present made a brief address to the assembly; they thanked everyone for their support. Suggestions were offered with regards to seeking more campaign visibility over the next month and half to the elections. Debby Blumer reminded that the support available to the Republican candidates from their party should not be under estimated. There is a link on the John Kerry website that will help instruct how to write and respond to conservative views that are often heard on radio and in editorials.
Primary
candidate Jerry Desliets thanked the assembly members for their support to the
Democratic candidates. He emphasized
the belief shared by the other Democratic candidates that government is a
positive force, that health care is a right for people, that public education
is critical for children, that local aid should be fair. He expressed his support Karen Spilka in the
November elections, and urged everyone to give their best support to Tom, Debby
and Karen.
Finally
Karen Spilka addressed the assembly, also giving thanks for the support
received and she acknowledged Jerry for his kind words. She felt the race did well to bring the
important issues to the surface. The
November elections, she described would be a very hard, tough battle. She also stressed the importance of
retaining the three local seats in the Democratic column, and keep the
conservative Republican agenda out of the district.
Jessica
Kemp, Karen Spilka's campaign manager, also addressed the assembly, requesting
assistance in many different areas for Karen's campaign.
Herb
Chasan was recognized to talk about the Stop Bush meet-up that he has been
conducting for several months. Herb
described the activities of the group, which involve registering voters in
battleground states.
Last item, a proposal was made to handout Kerry items (bumper stickers, buttons) at the Columbus Day parade, a cost of about $200. Vote was taken to authorize the Committee to investigate this proposal, passed 14-2