April 10, 2010 Party Meeting

During our April meeting, attendees will welcome Doug Barlet, Linn County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator. Doug has a Master's Degree in Engineering. Serving over a decade with the Kansas Highway Patrol, Doug instructed officers in numerous training courses, including Forensic Mapping and Accident Investigations. Doug has worked to bring several safety implements to Linn County; including the NOAA all weather radio tower notification system for severe weather, city, and county mutual-aid agreements, and the reverse 911 system.
Firefighters are working around the clock to provide services to our citizens, their work ethics and dedication should be recognized.
Doug will share information about services the department handles, how they are dealing with severe budget cuts, and discuss details about the current Burn Resolution and how our citizens are affected by it.

Our short agenda meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at the Labette Bank in La Cygne, followed by a non-partisan discussion beginning at 2:30.

Talking Points: Democratic Retirements

·         Retirements happen every year and in every election cycle. They occur for a host of personal reasons -- often people just want to spend more time with their families.

·         It’s hardly surprising that many of these announcements would come just after the holidays, when elected officials enjoy one of their longest uninterrupted breaks at home.

·         Retirements are a moving target - but at this stage the numbers don’t lie -- more Republicans than Democrats have decided not to run for reelection in every category: 

 

o    In the Senate, six Republican Senators have decided not to seek reelection – while only two Democrats have decided not to.  These six Republican retirements have created five competitive races in Missouri, Ohio, New Hampshire, Kentucky and Florida and Democrats have strong candidates running aggressive campaigns in each. 

o    Regarding the two Democratic retirements in the Senate. We believe very strongly we'll hold on to Connecticut. While Republicans are putting North Dakota in the win column, everyone should remember that while North Dakota has been a red state in Presidential politics, all of its federal office holders - two Senators and one House Member - are Democrats. The last time a Republican Senator represented North Dakota it was 1986. 

o    In the House, 14 Republicans are opting not to run – while 10 Democrats have made the same decision. 

o    And in Governors’ races across the country, four Republicans have decided not to run (Douglass (VT), Rell (CT), Crist (FL), Pawlenty (MN) – while two Democrats (Doyle (WI) and Ritter (CO)) have made the same decision.  Many others, of course, are term limited out of office.

·         History suggests that the 2010 election will be tough for Democrats. If you look at the past 17 midterm elections, the president’s party has lost an average of 28 seats in the House, and an average 4 seats in the Senate.

·         But Election Day is a long way away, and a lot can happen between now and then.

 

·         Democrats have a very strong case to make to the American people. In the past 12 months, Democrats have brought our economy back from the brink, come closer than ever before to enacting health insurance reform and achieved historic accomplishments that will help the American people and keep us safe.

·         There is a corrosive civil war going on within the Republican Party.  The extreme right wing is chasing moderates – like Dede Scozzafava and FL GOP Chairman Jim Greer – out of the GOP in an attempt to “purify” the Party at any cost. 

o    For example, Republicans face competitive primaries in nearly every Senate race, including Nevada, California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, and New Hampshire. Their primary fights are ugly, bloodletting battles with candidates moving to the right and out of the mainstream every day.

·         Republicans’ plan to reverse course - by going back to the same failed policies that drove our economy into a ditch– will NOT be a winning argument with voters.  Remember, failed Republican policies contributed to the near collapse of our entire economic system, skyrocketing health care costs and a damaged reputation around the globe.

·         Even RNC Chairman Michael Steele isn’t feeling optimistic. Yesterday he said Republicans would fail to take back the House, and admitted that he didn't know if Republicans were actually ready to lead the country anyway. 

Caroline Ciccone

Director of Regional Press

Democratic National Committee

Jan. 9 Meeting Cancellation

Please note that the county meeting scheduled for Jan. 9 has been cancelled due to worsening weather conditions expected throughout the week.
We will try to reschedule State  Rep.Shirley Palmer to speak at an upcoming meeting in the near future.
Thank you.
Be safe and stay warm.

December 13, 09 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting to be held each second Saturday of the month was called to order at the Labette Bank meeting room Dec. 13 by County Chairwoman Denise Cassells. After the pledge, Jim Dale gave the treasurer's report. Prior minutes were approved with one correction. Treasurer's report was approved. Alice Widner was approved with all in favor, as secretary to replace Amy Bradley.
Cassells brought up the subject of having a Linn County Democratic Party web site. After discussion of cost, a motion was made and seconded that the web site be established and Cassells said that she would maintain it. The vote in favor of the motion carried.
Linn County Democrats should check this web site for county Democratic news.
Linn County Sheriff Barry Walker was the speaker for the meeting. He reported that his office had been able to bring down costs in prisoner meals, housing, and medical expenses. Walker said that although they have housed twice as many prisoners daily as in 2008, the cost of feeding them was only a few dollars more than in 2008. Walker said that by adding seven new bunks in the jail, the cost of transporting prisoners to other jails had been reduced. He said that through negotiating medical costs, expences had been reduced considerably. When asked about prisoners making phone calls, Walker noted, the only phone calls a prisoner can make are collect calls to their party. Walker reported he had not been able to reduce costs in overtime pay because of the necessity of bringing to prosecution the persons breaking the law. This often requires overtime, sometimes even traveling out of state to bring a prisoner back to be prosecuted is mandated.
Before adjourning, Cassells urged party members to attend the Washington Day activities in Topeka at the end of February. Cassells also encouraged members to bring a friend or neighbor to attend monthly county meetings. On the agenda, will be recruiting township committee men and women to fill in vacancies and to replace some who are resigning due to poor health or absences.
We extend our condolences to Diane Jones for the recent loss of her husband Joe. A plant was sent to the service on behalf of the county party. Our thoughts also go out to Jackie Schreckhise in the loss of her loved ones.

Monthly Meetings

Linn County Democratic Party meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month.
All meetings will be at the Labette Bank in La Cygne, KS unless otherwise posted.
Next meeting is Jan. 9, at 2 p.m.
Guest speaker: State Representative Shirley Palmer.