Minutes from 9/16/09: Approved as written
JJ Dinner report:: 68 people came to the dinner. We cleared about $600 ($552 from the raffle). Senator Vi Simpson and Vop Osili, candidate for Secretary of State, spoke. The food provided by TBonz and the location at the Eagle’s Lodge both worked out well. We should follow up with people who ordered tickets but didn’t attend.
Team Leader Reports:
1. Community Outreach – Bob Williams: They are working on a community calendar for next year. They will have a Golf Outing at Bear Chase in May 2010. Tell Bob if you know about events to include on the calendar, can help with the golf outing or would like to serve on the community outreach team.
2. Membership – Cheryl Etherton: Tell Cheryl if you’d like to help on this team.
3. Young Democrats – Carrie Ridgeway: No report
4. Fundraising – Phil Brown: No report
5. Education & Outreach – Kate Smith: Introduced Katrina Hall and Lee Sakellarides who presented information about the property tax situation in Shelby County.
* Katrina gave a historical overview of why property tax bills have been consistently late in recent years. Essentially it’s a result of long-term mismanagement in both the County Assessor and Auditor offices compounded by new assessments that were ordered by the State.
* For her research Lee interviewed the local library, the Treasurer’s office and the Assessor’s office. Late tax bills cause delayed disbursement of funds to agencies such as the library. That means fewer books, magazines, and other services that we taxpayers will never receive. Late taxes force some government organizations, like schools, to borrow money to keep functioning, so taxpayers have the added interest burden. Some workers in both the Treasure and Assessor offices don’t seem to fully understand the reasons for and the impact of late tax bills.
* Tom Winterrowd stressed that understanding the problem doesn’t solve it. Democrats must field knowledgeable candidates for these county offices.
* Noell will create a list of skills/knowledge that the Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer and Clerk should have so we can identify suitable candidates.
Upcoming Events: Ham & Bean Supper, Saturday, November 7, 4:30 to 6:30 PM, $4 for adults, $2 children 6-11, under 5 free. People signed up to make pies.
A petition for Evan Bayh to be on the ballot was available for people to sign.
Next meeting is Nov. 18: Tom McKenna, candidate for Secretary of State, has been invited to speak.
Paid for by the Shelby County Democratic Party, www.shelbydems.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Museo Font by Jos Buivenga .
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