Dawn Niles called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
Minutes: There was not a quorum present, therefore approval of the last meeting's minutes was waived.
Treasurer's Report: Leslie O'Brien reported that the DTC has a balance on-hand of $328.60, with nothing new to report.
Chair's Report: Dawn Niles reported that she has sent out a press release soliciting interested Democrats for the municipal elections. The deadline for submission to Dawn of one's interest in running on the Democratic ticket is June 30.
Dawn reported that the Walmart resolution listed on the April 10 meeting agenda was removed per the request of Brian Anderson.
Dawn reviewed the letter she had received from Town Clerk, Ann Bushey, regarding the list of seats open for the municipal elections in November 2003 (First Selectman, two Windham seats and five Willimantic seats for the Board of Selectmen, three Board of Finance seats, two Board of Education seats, three Board of Assessment Appeals seats and two ZBA seats). Dawn is currently speaking with all incumbents in those seats regarding their interest in running for reelection. The DTC must finalize and approve the list of endorsed candidates in July.
The next DTC meeting will be on July 8 at Town Hall. Dawn will ask all interested candidates to speak to the DTC at that meeting. The DTC nominating convention for the municipal candidates will take place on July 22 at 7 p.m. Victor Rayhall will find a location for that meeting.
Issues Platform: Dawn Niles reported that she has begun the process of developing a DTC issues platform via email. She reviewed the preliminary list of 10 issue priorities. There was some discussion on the list and the process. Dawn will mail the preliminary list out to all DTC members for review and the DTC will discuss and vote on the platform at a future DTC meeting.
Fundraising: Dawn Niles requested volunteers to set up at Fundraising Committee to plan and coordinate DTC fundraisers for this fall's elections. The goal should be to raise around $3,000. Dorothy Phillips volunteered to coordinate a meeting. Volunteers were: Dorothy Phillips, Tom DeVivo, Mike Paulhus, Diane Rayhall, Lynne Ide and Susan Johnson.
New Business: Deb Noble was not present to report on the local efforts of the Working Families Party. The item will be held until the September meeting.
Lynne Ide reported on the Democratic State Central's statewide meeting for Town Chairs, which happened in May. Lynne and Bill Sayers attended representing Windham. Dawn Niles had a family conflict with the date. Lynne reported that there are significant changes afoot, with the expectation of a lot more services from the DSC for local and statewide candidates, as well as DTCs.
Dawn Niles gave a preliminary report on the recent legislative changes regarding party primaries and election day registration. Dawn will share the details with the DTC once the legislature provides a synopsis of these changes.
Dawn Niles distributed the DSC raffle tickets. They are $10 a piece and the drawing will be on July 9, 2003.
Old Business: Dawn Niles and Lynne Ide reported on the latest regarding the unresolved state budget issues.
Dennis O'Brien reported on the progress of the Charter Review Commission. Some discussion followed.
John McGrath raised the idea of organizing a Walk/Run between the two parties during the election season. Voter registration could happen during the event and money raised could be donated to a local charity. The DTC members indicated interest in John exploring the idea.
Leslie O'Brien volunteered to get an updated voter list on disk so Dawn Niles can merge it with our local lists to identify prime voters, absentee voters, etc.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Victor Rayhall made the motion. Dennis O'Brien seconded it and it was approved unanimously.
| Rev 7/10/03 MAS |
Copyright © 2003 Windham Democratic Town Committee |
