PCD-CC Minutes 4/09

POLK COUNTY DEMOCRATS CENTRAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

April 7, 2009

Salem Electric Building * Salem, Oregon

 

 

Acting Chair Alan Holland called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.

 

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS:  Chris Brantley, Candidate for Salem/Keizer School Board, and Dr. Mike Grady, of the Archimedes Movement.  

 

PROGRAM:  Lani introduced the evening's program speaker, Dr. Mike Grady, Archimedes Movement, who spoke regarding, "Health Care Reform in the 21^st Century."  Dr. Grady presented a comprehensive, thoughtful and thought-provoking view of health care challenges both in Marion County and in Oregon; and also in the nation as a whole.  It is no surprise that Archimedes Movement research finds that there are many millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans, who do not have access to viable health care under the existing system.  However, while Dr. Grady laid out the case for health care reform in a very fact-based format, he did not stop there.  He also shared some of the possibilities for change in health care delivery, and that was very encouraging and inspiring.  After the presentation, the Central Committee and guests were clearly engaged with this topic, and asked many questions related to health care reform, which Dr. Grady answered. 

 

Because of time constraints, Dr. Grady significantly condensed a much longer and more detailed presentation to fit the time he was allocated at our meeting.  Given the enthusiastic and engaged reception he received by the Polk County Dems, Lani Kirby suggested it might be a good idea to bring him back sometime in the future, and allow time for the entire presentation.

 

MR. CHRIS BRANTLEY, Candidate for School Board, was recognized to address the meeting.  He spoke about his commitment to quality education for all children.  He is involved with the Stand For Children Group, which considers and advocates for how schools should work to meet the needs of all kids.  He had campaign literature and donation envelopes available on the front table for anyone who was interested.

 

BREAK

 

BUSINESS MEETING

 

CALLED TO ORDER:  Alan Holland, Acting Chair, called the business meeting to order at 8:25 p.m.

 

PRESENT FOR THE BUSINESS MEETING:  Officers:  Alan Holland (Acting Chair), Lani Kirby (Vice Chair), Fred Brown (Treasurer), and Beth Fleisher (Secretary).  Lisanne Pearcy, Jackie Pierce, Ron Dodge, Sue Olmstead, Gloria Holland, Dale Derouin, Lois Derouin, Fritz Ulrich, Walt Lawson, Peter Wells and Jason Brown also attended. Phil Halverson, Bev Halverson, Chris Brantley, and Shawn Range attended as visitors.

 

AGENDA:  The Agenda was amended to add Fritz Ulrich.  Lani moved that the Agenda be accepted as amended; seconded; Motion passed.

 

MINUTES:   Minutes of the March 3, 2009 Central Committee Meeting were presented for approval.  Fred moved they be approved; Jason seconded; Motion passed.

 

CONSIDERATION OF ELECTION OF CHAIR:

 

Lisanne Pearcy was present as the representative from the Process and Rules Committee to conduct the election of Chair.  After a short orientation of the process - that only PCPs could vote - nominations were opened.

 

            Jason Brown was nominated and accepted the nomination.

            Lani Kirby was nominated and declined the nomination.

            Beth Fleisher was nominated and accepted the nomination.

Alan Holland volunteered his name for nomination; then he was nominated from the floor and accepted the nomination.

 

The slate of nominees, therefore, were:

 

            Jason Brown

            Beth Fleisher

            Alan Holland

 

Jason Brown asked Lisanne if it would be appropriate to allow for candidates to give a brief statement.  This was deemed appropriate, and each candidate was allowed to speak to the CC for 2-3 minutes, with Fritz Ulrich serving as timer.

 

Following the presentations, there was a round of questioning of each of the candidates.

 

Since it was a contested election, voting was done by secret ballot.  Jackie Pierce suggested that Lisanne recuse herself from the counting, which Lisanne agreed to do.  Thereupon, Sue Olmstead and Walt Dawson counted the ballots.

 

After the first round of voting, no candidate had received a majority.  Beth Fleisher had the least votes in the first round and was eliminated.

 

The following candidates were still in the running:

 

            Jason Brown

            Alan Holland

 

After the second round of voting, Alan Holland was announced the winner of a majority of the votes of PCPs present, there being 12 total present eligible to vote, and was presented as the newly elected Chair.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Fred reported that he had packets of tickets for the Pentacle Theater fundraiser, and that anyone who wanted to sell tickets should see him after the meeting.

 

Alan read a letter from Peter DeFazio to the assembly.

 

MOTION TO POSTPONE BALANCE OF AGENDA:

 

Gloria Holland moved that given the lateness of the hour (approximately 9:20 p.m.) that the balance of the Agenda be postponed until the next regularly-scheduled CC Meeting.  Fritz Ulrich seconded the Motion. 

 

 

Lisanne Pearcy directed a question to Chair Alan Holland regarding the proposed speaker for June.  Out-of-order discussion commenced, while the Motion languished.  After several minutes of discussion, it was pointed out that this was inappropriate discussion, because this topic was not on the Agenda for this Meeting; and also because there was a Motion and Second on the floor that had not been voted upon.

 

 

The vote on the Motion to Postpone was taken; Motion Passed.

 

Fred Moved that the meeting be adjourned; Beth seconded it; Motion Passed.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

 

 

Submitted by:

 

Beth A. Fleisher, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

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