April 2010 Meeting

Shelby County Democrats

Monthly Meeting Minutes—April 21, 2010

Opening—Pledge of Allegiance led by Lee Sakellarides.

Welcome—Saul Watkins

Minutes from 2/17/10 approved as written: Motion, Kate Smith; second, Bob Williams.

Treasurer’s report—No report

Team Leader reports

Membership (Cheryl Etherton): No report.
Education and Outreach (Kate Smith): Haven’t met again yet, but want to get together soon. Continuing to see what’s going on and to build knowledge of community activities.

Tea Party meeting report: Lee
- Two types of people: 1) Unmoveable conspiracy theorists who hate Obama; 2) More reasonable people who love their country but are really worried about debt, freedom, America’s ability to compete.
- People tend to confuse entitlements with giveaways.
Currently seven teams signed up (four players to a team).
Evelyn Smith raised $1,000 for the golf tourney.
Can bring own water and soft drinks, but alcohol and soft drinks on the beverage cart we have to buy from the golf course.
David Moore, County Commissioner, put up $500 for beverage cart, so soft drinks will be free.
Large group, but no real sense of direction.
Main messages revolve around patriotic imagery, but no cohesive plans for carrying action forward.
- Dr. Hannah on his experience with Tea Party:
- Tom Harding: Way to take them on is to refute and be vocal with them; write letters to the editor refuting what they are saying.

Young Democrats (Carrie Ridgeway): No report.
Fundraising (Noell—inerim): No report.
Community Outreach (Bob): Golf Outing update (May 8, arrive by noon, start at 1:00 p.m.).

Election 2010

www. Ellesworth.house.gov

www.ellsworthforindiana2010

202-225-4636

Poll Workers: well prepared.
Dennis Gilles: who is going to be at Dem office answering phone on Election Day?
Jody: Someone will be here and will receive the certification at the end of the election.
Dr. Hanna: There are fewer than 100 Shelby Co. registered Democrats who have voted in the last three consecutive primaries.

Dr. Nasser Hanna, Candidate for 5^th Congressional District

No Democrats are running in Hamilton Co. Senate and House races.
Republican candidates talked about two things: keeping taxes low and keeping government out of the way of people’s lives.
Dr. Hanna was the only one who talked about service and leadership, the middle class, the poor, the unemployed, and making investments in our country.

The single thing Greenfield needs for businesses is a four-lane road, which requires federal dollars. How many business owners would be glad that the government provided money for the road to be widened? Business settle in communities not just because taxes are low, they go where there are good infrastructure and educated workers.
Dr. Hanna advocates investing in workforce training, hiring, investment in new technologies, keeping workforce in U.S. We need new leaders who understand the emerging advances.
Need signs placed at polling places.
Dr. Hanna’s campaign is making phone calls and sending mail to hardcore Dems. Will be knocking on doors for the general election, but not the primary.
Dr. Hanna has raised a lot of money, but is trying to pool resources for November.
GOP is fanning the flames of Tea Party by not denying their claims, so GOP is tacitly condoning Tea Party.

Discussion

Racino money denied to the Shelbyville-Shelby Co. Library because the Library receives government funding.
Noell suggests that we donate some money to the Shelby Co. Robitics team to underscore our civic-focused activities
State JJ dinner: $125 per ticket.
Saul: Went to 6^th district mtg. in Newcastle, where Brad Ellsworth was speaking.
- Ellsworth: Repeal No Child Left Behind.
- Ellsworth: Ranks very low as a liberal in Washington (very conservative Democrat.).
- Concerned about climate change.
- Supports unions.
- Sam Locke, T, McKenna also spoke.
  - McKenna: Try to correct voter block; grow small businesses and encourage them to hire more workers.

Next meeting: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Democrat Headquarters.

Submitted by Lee Sakellarides