32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization
Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting, August 8, 2018
at the Richmond Masonic Center
Following about 20 minutes of "open mic" time for any and all to express briefly their views, concerns, and announcements, the meeting was called to order at 7 pm by District Chair Carin Chase. After opening with the Pledge of Allegiance, M/S/C to adopt the agenda as proposed. M/S/C to approve the minutes of our June 13 meeting. M/S/C to approve the minutes of our most recent regular meeting, held in conjunction with our annual picnic on July 15.
Following recognition of various elected officials present, Rosamaria Graziani introduced five young volunteers who had performed admirably in GOTV work leading up to the August 7 "winnowing" primary. Online-posted interim results of that primary were reviewed, including Democrats Carolyn Long having come from virtually nowhere in CD3, to a position closely behind GOP Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler; Dr. Kim Schrier as the apparent leader among three strong Democrats in CD8 (where turnout in King County has been running higher than in the past), to oppose GOP perennial Dino Rossi; and Spokane legislator Lisa Brown looking quite strong in her attempt to replace GOP leader Cathy McMorris Rogers in CD5. Meanwhile, incumbent Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Rick Larsen are enjoying comfortable leads.
In our own LD, Rep. Cindy Ryu has a big lead in her campaign for re-election, and our endorsee Rebecca Wolfe is leading in her race for Snoco PUD Commissioner Position 2. Senator Chase and Jesse Salomon are comfortably ahead of the GOP candidate for our Senate seat, while fellow Democrat Lauren Davis seems way ahead of both our endorsee Chris Roberts and their GOP opponent.
The lesson from all these races: Voting is important!
Dean Fournier reported that the Metropolitan Democratic Club will be holding a Seattle-area fundraiser for Carolyn Long, at a date to be determined, and Debbie Viertel reported on opportunities to help Lisa Brown.
Other Business:
Carin reminded us of our opportunity to take a turn at our assigned table at the Evergreen State Fair, at its annual "Children's Day."
Following a break for a raffle, Eric Valpey reported a current bank balance of $1628 (exclusive of tonight's receipts), and that presently unpaid bills total about $400. Carin added that Eric has also been named the new Treasurer of KCDCC!
It was further reported that switching from our present "throwaway" name tags, to permanent ID buttons, is under consideration.
Logan Rysemus of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility presented for our consideration a resolution "In Support of Yes on 1639, Safe Schools, Safe Communities." M/S/C to suspend our Rules' advance-notice requirement, to enable timely consideration of the proposed resolution. M/S to adopt the resolution. It was reported that several Democratic organizations have already endorsed it, whereupon it was voted to adopt the resolution – which Carin undertook to disseminate as appropriate.
M/S/C (Dean) to endorse and support a "Yes" vote on Initiative 1631, a ballot measure intended to protect against climate change by curbing pollution from carbon emissions.
As a final note, Carin reported on the death of our beloved nonagenarian member, Elaine Phelps, a few days after our July meeting. True to form, Elaine made sure she signed her primary ballot before she passed away. Carin went on to play a video of the Seattle City Council's adopting, on July 30, a resolution honoring Elaine's contributions and longtime dedication to the values we hold dear.
Good of the Order: Senator Chase thanked our members for their continued support. Carin, supported by her Edmonds School Board colleague Deborah Kilgore, asserted the inadequacy of the Legislature's supposedly McCleary-based appropriations for school funding
M/S/C to adjourn, at 9:29 pm.
Prepared and submitted by Dean Fournier, LD32 Secretary