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What's Here

Notes From the Chair

Community Conversation About Immigration

Photos from March Meeting

Obama Visit to Salem on CCTV

Litter Pickup April 5

Obama Canvass April 5

You Can Still be a PCP Precinct Person!

Registration Drive in Independence

News from Rich Riggs Campaign

News from Jason Brown Campaign

What are HD 20 & 23?

Marion County OLCV Candidates Meet

Betty the Yeti Coming June 4 - selling tickets now

The Monmouth Peace Vigil: 5 years of war

Links to Candidate Websites

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From the Monthly Meeting, March 13

Thanks to Jackie again for photos.

 

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Obama visit to Salem on CCTV - entire!

This is Oregon's first seriously contested Democratic primary since 1988.

CCTV (Capitol Community Television---cable channels 21, 22, and 23) was there and taped the entire Obama Town Hall, and has posted it to their website where it can be watched at any time. They also played it on their channel at 8:30 the night of the event and will be replaying on their broadcasts.

Check it out at www.cctvsalem.org. There is also a good article by Wendy Brokaw, CCTV Captures Obama Town Hall Excitement Inside and Out , including streaming video, on the CCTV site - they went all out for this!

Several Polk Democrats showed up,
including Jackie Pierce, here recruiting
voter registrations outside. Alan Holland
was there also with a "Register Here"
sign and lots of registration forms.

Together they registered about 170 voters.

 

 

 

 

 

The candidate also visited Portland, Corvallis (briefly, for a pizza stop and impromptu chat), Eugene and Medford. I was impressed by the interview with a Eugene Register-Guard journalist, including:

Question: Are there things in the Pacific Northwest, like forest policy, that you’ve taken a look at?

Answer: On forest policy, dealing with these county payments in a serious, long-term way so local counties can have an opportunity to plan their budgets, I think is going to be very important. ... (more at Register-Guard)

 

Bill Clinton visits Salem on the day this newsletter is being written, so we don't have the links up for that coverage yet; but they will probably be ready in early April - check back in a few days and we'll follow up.

Preliminary notes from a brief phone call: Alan Holland, Wayne Baum, David Papen, Gloria Holland, and others registered another 50 to 75 people at the Clinton Speech; It was not as well organized; the venue at Chemeketa held about 900, standing room only except for local dignitaries, and another 1000 turned away outside. Clinton gave an excellent speech. There was one heckler whom he handled very well.

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Canvass for Obama and Registrations April 5

Or see you here. At the same time as the litter patrol, there will be Canvassing for Obama and Registrations in Monmouth and Independence, organized by Dave Sherman and Caleb Hayes. Canvassers will meet at 10 AM at Waeil's New York Bagel & Bistro, 405 E. Main Street Monmouth in the Market Place Shopping Center.

This is also a very worthwhile activity. For more information contact Dave Sherman, 503-910-3524 or law@dasherm.com

April 20 Houseparty for the Obama/Novick campaigns at Jeff Pullman's house

You're invited to attend a fundraising houseparty at Jeff Pullman's house on Sunday, April 20 at 5:00 PM. The address is 160 South 3rd Street in Independence. Come as you are and bring friends!

If you're supporting one candidate and not the other, please come.

We hope to have food, drinks, and live music. If you can bring a dish or beverage to share, that will be great - but your presence on the 20th is what matters most.

Call bob at 503-838-6676 with questions.

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You Can Still Be a Precinct Committee Person!

YES! I want to join the Polk County Democratic Party Central Committee!!
I want to be a Precinct Committee Person.
… but I missed the filing deadline. What can I do?
Do not fret, procrastinating Dems. You can still be an elected Precinct Committee Person in the May Primary. Write-in candidates need only gather a minimum of 3 votes to be in the running for the coveted PCP post, and be eligible for election.
Here’s what to do:
- KNOW your precinct number.
- Write your name in on the ballot, exactly as you are registered, in the write-in slot under your Precinct.
- Have your housemates and neighbors write in your name under your Precinct.
- Be sure you complete the post-election acceptance form sent to you by Polk County Elections, and return it to Elections as directed. You should receive this sometime in June, and you must return it in a timely manner.
HINTS:
- Give your neighbors a card with your name AND precinct number on it so they spell your name right, and write you in under the correct precinct.
- Most Precincts have plenty of PCP slots open in which the minimum of 3 votes will get you in, but running for PCP is a perfect ice-breaker for the upcoming election season, and a great way to introduce yourself to your neighbors.
- Neighborhood Leaders signed up in the new Democratic Neighbor to Neighbor Program should especially consider filing.
Remember, all politics begins at home, and its up to us to make our home and our County a better community for its citizens.

There is more information about the duties of a PCP in the pull-down menu under Precincts at the top of this page.

For more information, contact shprice@oldchildrensbooks.com

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Registration Drive in Independence Getting Organized

Many citizens in Independence, especially people turning 18 this year, will be registered to vote with the help of Voz Hispana, a statewide group sponsored by PCUN. A preliminary meeting was held in the Colonia Amistad Housing Farm Worker apartments in Independence on February 26, lead by Francisco Lopez and attended by some PCD members. On March 27, at St. Patrick's church in Independence, there were workshops in Spanish and English to train people in charge of registration in Independence, and to identify good local opportunities to register voters. Anyone interested in helping or in donating should contact Bart Marquez at 503-982-0243, ext. 20 or online:
http://www.pcun.org/resources/sisterorganizations.asp (scroll down to the page bottom)

News from local State House Campaigns

Thank you, Wayne, for reminding us of the importance of getting on board these races early. While the Presidential race may be more sexy, bigger media, etc., what we all need to understand is that the state house and state senate campaigns are the grass-roots that benefit ALL Democratic campaigns in this state!

Richard Riggs - HD 20

Since the last newsletter my website, RichardRiggs.com, has been activated and I have been busy fundraising, seeking endorsements, attending houseparties and canvassing. I have received several key endorsements which include the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Service Employees International Union Local 503, and others. I am also engaged in the endorsement process with AFSCME, OSEA, OEA, AFL-CIO and many other groups.

 

During my first week of canvassing I was accompanied one morning by Representative Betty Komp and over the course of the week I knocked on three hundred doors. Lastly, the campaign is looking for volunteers, people willing to canvass, host houseparties, or assist with phone calls or writing letters to the editor.

Jason Brown - HD 23

Marion County:
Oregon League of Conservation Voters / Meet The Candidates

Sincerely,
Tresa Horney
Marion County Field Organizer

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U. S. Senate