Minutes of the February 4, 2010 Central Committee Meeting

Democratic Party of Denver

Minutes of the Central Committee Meeting

February 4, 2010

South High School

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

 

All attendees pledged their allegiance.

 

Approval of Minutes – Owen Perkins, Secretary

                The minutes of the October 22, 2009 Central Committee Meeting were approved by voice vote with two changes made by Owen Perkins.  The changes were to complete the list of elected officials and candidates present at the meeting with two who were erroneously omitted.

 

Recognition of Elected Officials – Cindy Lowery, Chair

                The Chair recognized the presence of the following elected officials and candidates for:  District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, State Senator Chris Romer, State Reps Mark Ferrandino, Joel Judd, and Jerry Frangas, City Council Members Doug Linkhart and Peggy Lehman, RTD Board Members Bill McMullen and Chris Martinez, Colorado Democratic Party Second Vice Chair Margaret Atencio, former Mayor Wellington Webb, Lino Lipinsky on behalf of Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CD1), Andrea Merida (DPS Board), and candidates Lucia Guzman (SD34), Kirk Niemer (Attorney General), Angela Williams (HD7), Jon Goldin-Dubois (HD7), Amber Tafoya (HD4), Dan Pabon (HD4), Crisanta Duran (HD5), Mark Thrun (HD5), and J.J. Swiontek (HD5).  CDP Secretary Carolyn Boller, Susan Dagget on behalf of Senator Michael Bennet, and Former Speaker Andrew Romanoff were also expected to arrive shortly.

 

Financial Report – Ed Hall, Treasurer

                In 2009 we had a loss of $1,565.  We raised $1600 in Century Club memberships and $14,000 at the Kennedy Dinner.  Every subdistrict paid their dues in 2009, which hasn’t happened in 10 years.   We beat the budget by $400 by controlling spending.  We were $1100 under our projected expenses.

 

Fundraising Update – Jennifer Jacobson, Vice Chair

We’ve already made $5300 in January through our Century Club event with Mayor Hickenlooper.  53 new members joined the Century Club in January.  We have four additional events coming in 2010, so join now.  We are issuing a challenge to sub-districts: whoever has the greatest Century Club membership increase (by percentage) will get a VIP party at JJ’s house.

                We have an Art Auction fundraiser planed for April 24 at the Redline Gallery.  We hope to get more young people involved, and we are looking for donations. 

                With Caucus, Assembly, and GOTV this year, we need what ever contribution you can spare.  $20, $10, or $1 would all be greatly appreciated.

 

Credentials Report – Karen Morrissey, Credentials Co-Chair

We currently have 275 Central Committee members in attendance, including two members who were added to the list tonight.

 

County Platform – Sharron Klein, Former County Chair

                We are getting more interest in issues.  We’ve brought back some planks.  We’ve got the platform on-line.  We are drafting a working draft of the platform for caucuses to start with. 

 

A Letter from US Representative Diana DeGette – Julie Kronenberger, Assistant Secretary

                Rep. DeGette wrote that Congress partnered with President Obama to move the agenda forward.  She fought every day for Health Care Reform for those without coverage.  She is working on job creating in key sectors of the economy.  We have a dynamic candidate for governor in Mayor Hickenlooper.  We have to keep the Senate seat in Democratic hands and make sure Betsy Markey is reelected. 

               

 

Remarks on Behalf of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet – Susan Dagget

                Michael has experienced a Washington that is broken and out of touch with ordinary Americans.  He helped push through Health Care Reform that  cuts costs and ensures access to those currently uncovered.  He rejected the politics of special interests and secret deals.  He called for negotiations to be broadcast on CSPAN.  He spoke out against both Democrats and Republicans who held up Health Care Reform.  He voted to protect consumers against predatory tactics of the credit card industry.  He supports clean energy to create jobs and protect the environment.  He knows what it means to run a business, a city.  President Obama is joining us on the 18th.  We’d love your help and passion for building a better world.  We need Michael in D.C.

 

Colorado Democratic Party – Carolyn Boller, Secretary

                We’re behind the curve on getting packets ready for Caucus and Assembly.  We’re working on the math work sheet.  N.H. Senator Jeanne Shaheen will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming JJ Dinner.

 

Remarks by U.S. Senate Candidate Andrew Romanoff

                Romanoff has been on a cross-state tour.  We need to bring and keep jobs in Colorado.  Republicans run on the argument that government can’t work, and then get elected to prove it.  Dems are in charge in Congress and need to start acting like it. Today somebody in Colorado will die because they don’t have health insurance.  We expect better, we deserve better, and we voted for better two years ago.  President Obama has courage, but he needs help on the other side of Pennsylvania Ave.  They want to put off climate changed legislation for a non-election year, but remember why you were sent to Washington.  It’s going to take a lot of little money to get big money out of politics. 

 

Final Credentials Report – Karen Morrissey, Credentials Co-Chair

We currently have 281 Central Committee members in attendance, including two members who were added to the list tonight.  We do not have quorum.

 

Delegate Selection Plan – Frank Sullivan and Karen Morrissey, Rules Co-Chairs

                The plan was formulated by the Rules Committee, debated, and recommended.  Part 3 rewards districts with weight for participation in election.  This includes population and Democratic performance, but without clear definitions.  We start with total registration.  Some think Dem performance means registration.  Others think it means Dem votes for a particular candidate.  We’ve compromised and used both. 

                In the absence of a quorum, a vote of approval of the plan could not be taken, but a straw poll was held, and though nays were heard, the ayes had it.

 

Get Out The Vote Plan – Adam Graber, GOTV Chair

                PCPs and sub-district officers are at the core of our efforts.  We’re planning GOTCaucus phone banks, focusing on 2008 attendees and apartment building dwellers.  Start walking now.

 

Proposed Resolution – JoAnn Fujioka, House District 6 Secretary

                A resolution concerning CDP’s apparent bias in promoting one US Senate candidate over another could not be voted on without a quorum.  The proposed resolution would call on the CDP  to not engage in campaigning and fundraising for one Democratic candidate over another in Primary races.

 

Announcements

                There will be a meeting outside the Fillmore during the Obama/Bennet fundraiser for those who support a different candidate or oppose CDP’s appearance of bias.

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded and passed.

 

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Voter Registration – Cindy Lowery

                After the meeting adjourned, many Central Committee members participated in voluntary Voter Registration training.