December 2, 2008

An open letter to all Thurston County Democrats:

Thank you!   Thank you each and every one of you for all you have done to make the Thurston County Democrats the tremendous, unprecedented success that it is.

When we --  the new leadership team -- were first elected four years ago, we set out a goal.  Audacious perhaps, but we were determined to make our little local party the best in the state.  All firm believers in bottom-up, grass roots democratic organization, we adopted strategies to move us toward achieving that goal, and continued to refine them each succeeding year.

By many measures and in the eyes of many around us, we achieved that goal.   We’re known for our newsletter, website, open and participatory grass roots organization, getting our voters to vote, successful conventions, community involvement, lively and lucrative annual Jefferson – Jackson event, candidate support and fiscal management – raising more funds this year than any other local Democratic organization in the state.  Yes, that includes those big, urban counties!

None of this would have been possible without YOU.   There are so many people to thank, I could not possibly list you all.  You did the real work that has made this organization hum.  You volunteered to help with events and activities, made phone calls, engaged the community, became members, came to meetings, canvassed precincts, worked to support your candidates or promote issues about which you are passionate, staffed our office, entered and analyzed data, attended meetings, and generally contributed your blood, sweat, tears and hard-earned dollars to support our collective efforts.

As your outgoing Chair, I just want you to know how truly humbling it has been to have worked with and for ALL of you.   Your commitment to your community and democratic values has continued to amaze me throughout the past four years.  You should deservedly take great pride in your making the Thurston County Democrats the best in the state.

Success leaves no time for resting on laurels.  There’s still much that needs to be done to build upon what we’ve started and I hope you join me in lending your full support to the new leadership team we elected last night.  I am delighted Jim Cooper is our new Chair and that he has surrounded himself with a dynamic, energetic leadership team who I am sure will lead us to new and unanticipated successes.

John Cusick
Renewing Member and PCO

Take a look at the new team of enthusiastic, energetic, grassroots-minded officers elected at our re-organization meeting. Congratulations to all of you and may the wind be ever at your back!

(Left to Right: Roger Erskine, State Committee Man; Susan Macomson, 1st Vice Chair; Russ Olsen, 2nd Vice Chair; Jim Cooper, Chair; Danielle Westbrook, Committee Woman At Large; Joe Hyer, Treasurer; Matt Albrecht, Secretary; Debby Pattin, State Committee Woman; David Bremer, Committee Man At Large)

Photo courtesy Mike Pelela

With the recent announcement by Treasurer Robin Hunt the Central Committee of the Thurston County Democrats (made up of elected and appointed Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) once again have the Constitutional Obligation to provide three names to the Board of County Commissioners from which they must choose one for an appointment to complete Robin's term.

We are now ready to begin the difficult task of “filling her shoes” for the remainder of this term. In accordance with Article II, Section 15 of the Washington State Constitution, the Board of  County Commissioners, Cathy Wolfe and Sandra Romero and Karen Valenzuela, will have 60 days after the vacancy occurs (expected in late February) in which to appoint a successor who will serve through 2010, when a successor to serve the next full term will be elected. The Thurston County Democratic Central Committee will provide the names of three candidates from which Commissioners Wolfe, Romero, & Valenzuela are to choose one as the temporary successor.

The Thurston County Democrats will expedite this process so that the County Commissioners can come to a decision and fill the post immediately upon vacation by Robin.  This is the process we will follow:

Applications

Applications from Democrat resident's and registered to vote in Thurston County are now being accepted, provided they are postmarked or emailed by January 15th. In addition to providing contact information (name, address, phone numbers and email address), applicants must indicate:

(1) why they want to serve as County Treasurer,
(2) what they believe makes them uniquely qualified to fill this vacancy,
(3) how they are prepared to stand for election and win in 2010, and
(4) what they intend to accomplish during their term as County Treasurer.

Applications may be emailed to info@thurstondemocrats.org or post mailed to PO Box 164, Olympia, WA 98507.

Review Process

On January 23rd there will  be a forum at the Thurston County Courthouse in Building 2 room 152 from 2-4 PM for the PCO's to get to know applicants.  

On Monday the 25th at 7:00 PM in the same room the PCO's will nominate candidates to a written ballot using the results to develop a ranked list to submit to the full Thurston County Commissioners.

Each meeting will be chaired and moderated by the Thurston County Democrats’ chair or designee.

Public Comment

Written comments from the public are welcome and may be sent to info@thurstondemocrats.org. All comments received by January 25 will be distributed via email to all PCOs who are participating in the review process.

A more thorough description of the process can be found  here.

Jim Cooper, Chair
Thurston County Democrats

Office of the President Elect, Barack Obama - http://change.gov

Jerry Broadbent, the 2007 Thurston County Democrat of the Year, believes that the most effective way to gain voters is face to face contact. His hard work and dedication are depicted in this photo, taken after two hard days of doorbelling in south Thurston County.

When Jerry talks to people, he starts by asking if they are registered to vote and, if not, getting them to fill out a registration on the spot. Next, he gives them a statement of the principles that define Democrats and asks them if those principles define them. Finally he tells them who the Democratic candidates are, gives them brochures and asks them to consider voting Democratic. The whole contact takes about three minutes.

Mike Rechner [running for LD20 Rep. against Republican incumbent Richard Debolt] has spent more than 200 hours contacting 4,000 voters. Jerry has a personal goal to spend at least half that effort. He challenges all committed Democrats to spend at least ten hours and contact 200 voters. This is the way we can make a difference.

Paul Donohue
20th LD Dems Chair

Hello Volunteers!

By now you've heard:  The August 19th primary was a resounding success for Democrats all across Washington.  Here in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties we did even better!

Governor Gregoire maintained her lead over Republican Dino Rossi, and did better in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties than she did in November 2004.

Peter Goldmark (candidate for Public Lands Commissioner) did very well statewide, gathering 49% of the vote.  We're confident that as more voters learn about Peter Goldmark www.petergoldmark.com , he will WIN in November.

Yes, the Primary Election was good for Democrats, and we owe it all to Volunteers like you.  THANK YOU so much for helping to "Get out the vote" over the last month.  Whether you were knocking on doors, registering voters, or making phone calls, your efforts helped to turn out the Democratic vote!

Give yourself a pat on the back!

Volunteers Needed

Oct 03 (Fri) - 10am - LAST VOTER REG @ Olympia Farmers Market - RSVP here

Thank you all so much for your help over the past weeks and months.  Your energy and dedication will bring us victory in November, and strong leadership in the years to come.  Thank you for being part of our Team!
 
Dylan Carlson, Field Organizer Campaign for Change

dylan@wa-democrats.org
(360) 809-3655  [mobile]
(360) 956-0235  [thurston democrats office]
http://washington.barackobama.com

If you want to comment on the latest draft of the State Democratic Party platform, you can read it here: http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=344

and send comments to Alan Corwin alanmcorwin@juno.com no later than May 30th.