Report from the Kent County Democratic Party March Meeting

by: philgoblue

Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 19:24:57 PM EDT

The March meeting of the Kent County Democratic Party took place this past Wednesday (12 March) at Woodcock Hall.

After the preliminaries, we heard an address by Tony Baker, who is running for the Grand Rapids Board of Education in elections scheduled for 6 May.  Tony introduced himself as a father of kids in GR schools for the past five years since he moved from Big Rapids to Grand Rapids.  Baker is a sociology professor at Ferris State University.  In his talk and literature he pointed out that he's running to improve district-community communication and partnerships, provide teachers with high quality resources, and expand early childhood education.  Tony noted that he is a MEA member and has been endorsed by the GREA.  He is running to finish Jim Rinck's term and is running against Senita Lenear who was appointed when Rinck resigned.

David LaGrand gave the report on the City Commission.  He noted that the Commission would be making two important and rare hires in the next weeks, for City Clerk and City Attorney and was interested in getting input from everyone.  LaGrand argued that wind power and alternative energy sources should be part of the long-term future of the region and the city and urged everyone to contact their legislators and ask them to pass the Renewable Portfolio Standard legislation in Lansing.  Finally, he invited everyone to the fundraiser for Dillon and Hennessey and noted that the city needs friends on the County Commission and therefore it was important to hold those two new seats and expand the Democratic caucus on the County Commission.

Paul Mayhue (with some help from Jim Vaughn) gave the County Commission report.  Mayhue noted that he believes the Downtown Development Authority out to hold public meetings, preferably covered on public-access TV, since it is spending taxpayer money.  Vaughn and Mayhue discussed the 63rd District Court issue stating that they believed that court consolidation was a cost effective measure for a county with a future of population growth.  He noted that a magistrate judge would remain in Rockford and that the old court house would remain in use.  He mentioned the new 911 surcharge.  Finally Mayhue and Vaughn invited everyone to the Grand Rapids Black Elected Officials Townhall at the Ford Middle School (the old Madison school at Franklin and Madison) on 10 April from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

Bob Synk announced that they would be running for the 19th District seat to the County Commission, currently held by Republican Nadine Klein (south-east Grand Rapids).

Pete Hickey announced that they would be running for the 12th District seat to the County Commission, currently held by Republican Harold Mast (Kentwood and Wyoming).

Chairperson Sue Levy and Doug Nyman (chair of the Candidate Recruitment Committee) mentioned that candidates for other districts, especially Wyoming (District 8 currently held by Republican Boelema) and Kentwood (District 13, which also includes a section of southern Grand Rapids, currently held by Vander Molen), were still to be recruited and everyone was urged to nominate someone in that district.  Levy noted that the KCDP and MDP were ready to help committed candidates with training and fundraising and other assistance.  So, y'all got any good nominees - smart folks who are willing to work hard to get elected and then govern the county well?

In New Business, Levy announced that Kent County had the chance to host a Camp Millie training workshop.  The officers put forward two resolutions to sponsor Camp Millie and to support KCDP members who attend the workshop.  After some discussion, both resolutions passed on voice votes without opposition.

Camp Millie will take place over two days from on 17 and 18 May, at the UAW Region 1-D Building off the East Beltline, just north of Meijer Gardens.

I encourage everyone who is thinking about helping a campaign or organization or is interested in running for office or just being a better activist, to attend this rare workshop (Sue noted that the tri-county area hadn't had such a campaign training workshop in about 2 years).

Joe Marckini, a member of the national and Michigan School Board Association (and Cedar Springs School Board member) spoke to urge people to email Ehlers, Stabenow and Levin and push for increased educational funding from the national government.  He also urged everyone to contact the state House and Senate to keep governor Granholm's education funding at the full level in her budget.  Markini noted that he supported all-day, every-day kindergarten but that if it was going to be mandated on local school districts it had to come fully funded.

In Good and Welfare, the question was quickly raised about whether we were going to have the Congressional District Convention on 29 March as scheduled given all the talk about a redo primary.  Ida DeHaas strongly stated that the Third District Party was proceeding as planned until we're told otherwise.  She noted that over 800 letters to eligible attendees were sent out (I got mine!) and more were about to be mailed.  She reminded everyone that you are eligible to attend if you were an MDP member by 28 February or are a candidate or precinct delegate (they can register at the door).

The Third Congressional District Convention will be held at Creston High School, 29 March, Saturday at 10 am (registration begins at 9:00 am).

We also heard from Henry Sanchez (who is running for congress), Blue Tiger Democrats, me (promoting this blog, but in a haphazard way, I think I'll try again later), Owen Bieber (on Bart Stupak's bill to end oil speculation), Sue Levy (on Judge Kolenda's retirement and possible replacements),

Also announced were the:
* Cesar Chevez Breakfast, March and Reception, 31 March
* Jeff-Jack MDP Dinner, Detroit Cobo Hall, 6 April
* KCDP Annual Gala with Special Guest Bart Stupak: Noto's Restaurant, 17 May
* Local Future Sustainability Conference, 30 May - 1 June at Calvin College, sustainabilityconference.org

Well, that's all I can remember....

Next Meeting: 9 April, Wednesday at 7:00 pm at Woodcock Hall.  Join us!