Reminder: Dvorksy birthday bash, 9/10
From: Rod Sullivan

Please join local Democrats and special guests at Senator Bob Dvorsky's
Annual Birthday Picnic, Friday, September 10, from 5-7 PM at the North Ridge
Park Pavilion in Coralville.

All Democrats are invited; suggested donation is $25 for individuals, $50
for families, and $10 for students. Call 351-0988 for more information.
- posted by John @ 8:35 PM

 
Open letter from Rod Sullivan
An open letter from Rod Sullivan to members of the Johnson County Democratic
Party- Central Committee members in particular:

At the August 11 Johnson County Democratic Party Central Committee meeting,
the members of that body decided to donate $500 from the Cilek Fund (for
Countywide races) to the Pulkrabek for Sheriff campaign.
There was discussion about giving money to Supervisor candidates; the group
decided to wait and see if there would be any Republican opposition.
A Republican candidate then filed just before the late August deadline.
At the September 8 Central Committee meeting, a motion was made to give my
campaign $500 from the Cilek fund.

At that point, I asked that the money be split between the three Democratic
Party candidates for Supervisor. The Central Committee debated this
suggestion, noting that they considered our two incumbents very likely to
win reelection; they felt I was more vulnerable. The group then voted to
stick with the original motion, and give the $500 to my campaign.

After further consideration, I have decided to decline this $500. During my
service as County Chair, I prided myself on treating people equally. While
my campaign is in need of funds, and while I do appreciate the intent, I
believe it is more important that we support all of our candidates equally.

I am forever grateful for the support of the Central Committee in my
election bid. I hope to get the opportunity to serve each of you as a
Johnson County Supervisor and a proud Democrat.

Sincerely,

Rod Sullivan, Democratic Party candidate
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
- posted by John @ 6:38 PM

 
Franker on KSUI, 9/7
From: Franker for Congress Campaign

2nd district Democratic Congressional candidate Dave Franker will appear on
91.7 KSUI this morning in the 8:00-8:20 a.m. segment as part of the
University of Iowa's Year of the Arts and Humanities celebration kickoff.

Dave taught German for four years at the UI, and included among his former
students is KSUI's own Nancy Hagen.

Dave's graduate work in German literature at the UI addressed a piece of the
intellectual history during the period of the Enlightenment, specifically
theater productions of literature that dealt with the emerging depictions of
cultural and religious diversity in the late 18th century.

With respect to current federal legislation that would allow the arts and
humanities to flourish, Dave knows that the reliance on standardized testing
and the impending sanctions of the most recent reauthorization of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act ("No Child Left Behind") will have -
already are beginning to have - dramatic negative effects on funding for the
teaching of music, art, physical education and even general social studies
in our public schools.
- posted by John @ 4:43 PM

 
August CC mtg minutes
From: Pauline Taylor

Johnson County Democrats Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2004 Johnson County Headquarters

Meeting called to order by 1st Vice Chair David Redlawsk

Approval of meeting minutes postponed to give members a chance to review
them

Chairs report: Sarah Swisher excused --her written report will be submitted
on list serve

1st Vice Chair David Redlawsk no report but filling in as Chair of the
meeting, he recognized the elected officials that were present

2nd Vice Chair Brian Flaherty no report

Secretary Pauline Taylor report delayed until Pauline arrives

Treasurer Bev Jones gave Financial report--reports that fundraiser letter
has been very successful and that 15 people have signed up for the Victory
Fund--Treasurer¹s report approved

Membership Chair John Deeth excused

Concerns Chair Gary Smith excused

Finance Chair Kirsten Running reviewed financial info

Publicity--Matt Taylor no report

State/District Central Committee--Carol Porch gave report that their
committee(s) have not met since our last central committee meeting, but she
gave an update on some upcoming state events: Saturday September 18th State
Central Committee meeting/ Harkin fundraiser September 19th and the JJ
Dinner tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 16th.

U Dems--no report

Secretary Pauline Taylor arrived and distributed copies of June and July
meeting minutes--members voted to table approval of minutes until next
meeting to allow time to look them over

Reports given on experiences at the Democratic National Convention by Tom
Carsner, Dave Leschtz and Megan.

Dave Franker spoke regarding his campaign. He introduce Liz Kerr (his
Finance Chair) to discuss some upcoming events. The campaign is looking for
people to host house parties--if you are interested check the Listserve

Staff reports: Rod Sullivan thanked everyone who has participated in any of
the parades--two parades left for the season--one in Lone Tree on Sept 21st
and Homecoming in October--let Rod know if you can participate in either of
these. He gave a review of the GOTV plan with it¹s 3 legs 1) call and chase
program 2)Frontier area and 3) precinct captains and volunteers. He
reminded folks that if they were at this meeting they would be considered a
volunteer . First training session for precinct captains will be August
28th at 10am. There is voice mail now on the 337-VOTE phone number. Help
is really needed at the front desk from 4-8pm. Please consider signing up
for this. Megan reported on the importance of the call and chase program in
getting out the absentee ballots . Senator Bob Dvorsky brought up point
that a large number of early votes in Johnson County are cast at satellite
voting sites.

Tom Carsner brought up discussion of Loretta Cilek Fund and the fact that
Lonny Pulkrabek has a Republican opponent. He made a motion and it was
seconded to send $1000.00 to the Lonny Pulkrabek campaign. Discussion of
the motion included 1) concern by Bev that the account might have to have a
minimum balance maintained , 2) whether $500.00 might ok and 3)
whether there might be opponents of other parties in the Board of
Supervisor¹s race. Motion was made to amend the amount in the motion to be
$500.00. Vote on amending the motion passed by voice vote. Vote taken on
motion as amended passed unanimously by voice vote to donate $500.00 from
the Cilek Fund to the Pulkrabek campaign

Lonny Pulkrabek thanked everyone for the donation.

Lonny nominated Amy Green to be the Central Committee person for Fremont.
Matt Taylor confirmed the vacancy. Voice vote taken . Motion to elect Amy
Green by Acclimation passed unanimously. Welcome Amy.

Senator Bob Dvorsky spoke on behalf of the candidates who were not able to
be at meeting tonight because they Œre hard at work for their campaigns..
He reminded folks that there was still a chance at the raffle for the 2004
Mustang at $50.00 a ticket .

Jen Hemmings from the Art Small campaign reported that Art was at the State
Fair parade and was going to have a booth at the fair.

Lonny announced a Music in the Park fundraiser August 28th at Randall Park
in Solon

Nancy Porter announced that September 22nd teachers are holding house
parties to raise public awareness of issues of concern

Dave Redlawsk thanked people for signing the nomination petition for his
wife who is running for ICCSD School Board.

Dave invited folks to attend the Sertoma Airport Breakfast Fundraiser on
Sunday August 29th 8am to 2pm.

Reminder that next meeting is Wednesday September 8th.

Motion made to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.
- posted by John @ 9:27 PM

 
Ballot Training, 9/12

- posted by John @ 8:39 PM