DEFIANCE CO. DEMOCRATS BOARD MEETING - JAN. 2008

DEFIANCE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING - JANUARY 2008

On Monday, January 21, 2008, at 7 p.m. the Defiance County Democratic Party board met at the UAW Hall, 2120 Baltimore St., Defiance. Chair Vic Vogel called the meeting to order. Executive Secretary Donna Hitzeman called the roll. Twenty-three members were present: Maryann Bakle, Penny Bakle, Dan Bohn, Patricia Gearing, Charlie Gray, Denise Gray, Brenda Griffith, Tim Holtsberry, Don Keeterle, Wayne Olsson, Joe O’Neil, Mariella Pardo, Bev Peterson, David Plant, Elle Pryor, Steve Pryor, Bernard Ryan, Patrick Slattery, Dennis Stark, Howard Tropepe, Vic Vogel, Pat Walter, and Randy Wilde,

Absent were Bob Armstrong, Charles Askins, Janet Beardsley, Marianne Bohn, Ken Christiansen, Henry Diehl, Joe Eureste, Kim Forward, Roger MacDonald, Jen Rowe, Bud Sailer, Jim Schoch, Mike Weaks, Wilbur Wright, and Jean Zimmerman.

Guests were Dolores Whitman, running to represent Washington Twnshp Precinct; Matt Captain, running for Pct B, Hicksville; RuthAnn and Bob Schofield; Charlie Bakle; Michell Domke (ODP NW OH Field Director; and Gary Smiddy, candidate for Sheriff.

Treasurer’s Report    Wayne Olsson gave the Treasurer’s Report for November and December. The beginning balance was $554.47 and ending balance $1,127.85. (See Exhibit 1 for details) Dennis Stark moved to accept the report, with Don Keeterle seconding. The motion carried.

"Orders from Hqts"    Vic Vogel, said the Party is intent on turning Ohio blue by the presidential election. He invited Michell Domke to describe the Neighborhood Leader program, key to reaching the goal. Prior to the meeting, Michell had demonstrated the ODP’s internet Voterfile program to Charlie and Denise Gray, Pat Walter, and Bev Peterson, who responded to her email announcement seeking trainees who are computer-literate and willing to sign on as a Neighborhood Leader. As Michell placed on the table 25 packets outlining the plan, and a Neighborhood Leader sign-up sheet to be passed around, she filled us in on the program.

Michell said that a Yale study found that it only takes knocking on 14 doors to gain one additional vote while it takes sending mail to 398 people or telephoning 460 to achieve the same result. When you do the math, you see how important the face-to-face (or even literature drop) contact is. Responsibilities as a Neighborhood Leader are four-fold: 1) Reach out to those around you about upcoming elections; 2) ..the most important: talk to voters door-to-door; 3) co-host or host an event; 4) secondmost important: update the ODP on progress and feedback. Time/money can be saved and annoying people avoided if everyone is on the same page as to who has been contacted. If a personal contact has yielded information that the voter is committed to vote, there is no reason to contact him/her by mail or phone, so that resources can be put to better use on the uncommitted. This updating will be done through the voterfile program which Michell introduced to the four members mentioned. Those who have not trained in this program or do not wish to do so merely need to make sure they get the data to someone who can enter it asap into the program. By starting now, we can discover any glitches early on. Our ultimate goal is to turn out the vote.

Vic Vogel read a memo dated Jan. 14 which he received at the County Chairs' meeting in Columbus, outlining the 2008 fundraising goal for the ODP, and the part counties are expected to play in this. The goal for Defiance County is $2,710, with the following timeline: Mar 4: $813; July 4: $2,033; Sept 1: $2,710. This works out to be 30% by Primary Day (Mar. 4), 75% by July 4, and 100% by Labor Day (Sept 1). One suggestion for raising money is to promote the book "The Road to Blue: a photo essay of Ohio’s Democratic leadership," inspired by First Lady Frances Strickland, and selling for $35. It includes stories and anecdotes from the 2006 campaign. A number of other ways to meet the fundraising goals are in the memo. (See Exhibit 2).

---------------

Fort-to-Port report    Don Keeterle gave a Fort-to-Port update. He stated that on December 4 ODOT held a public meeting at the K of C Hall, to explain the status of the US 24 and SR 66 Interchange and Corridor Project and to present the Recommended Preferred Alternative for SR 66 (N Clinton St.) From Sessions Ave northward to Elliott Road (including the interchange with US 24), and to solicit public comments. A copy of the information package distributed at that event was passed around to those present at the board meeting.

In 2008, US 24 will be lowered 6.4 feet and the new bridge will be raised to a height of 17 feet above the highway. Work will begin at 15-18 to Domersville Rd to accomplish this. The bridge project will take place in 2010, last four to seven months, and will require closing the bridge. The bridge will be five lanes wide when the project finishes, at a cost of $12-14 million. Funding will be by ODOT and Defiance City and County.

Dec. 10 Defiance County Commissioners doubled commitment on funding.

Dec. 12 Indiana Government said state monies for help fund interchange will start in spring.

Dec. 26 trees removal begins project Napoleon to Maumee

US 24 will have 65 miles Indiana to Maumee

--------------

BOE business    Brenda Griffith stated that the BOE will have a reorganization meeting this year. Certification will be the last week of March and will register within 10 days so as to get the assure prompt notification to the precinct candidates. The at-large precinct committeepersons will not receive notification but are welcome to attend the meeting. Later, recommendation can be made for others.

By-Laws    Charlie Gray stated that the new by-laws are available to be read on our website (defiancedems.org) ... this requires log-in after free registration. For those who wish to have the by-laws on a disk, contact Charlie for a copy. Brenda Griffith gave kudos to Charlie for a difficult job well done.

Misc. Announcements    Charlie Gray said he did not make it to the ODP Christmas Party this year because of the weather. In the eight to 10 meetings held during two years, he said this is the only one he missed. The last meeting, in October, was intensive, Charlie said. It was made clear that mastering the Voterfile web program was not an option for the Central Committee members (think Gray and Griffith).

Bernard Ryan was upset over a letter received from the Republican National Committee, which he characterized as "the most ridiculous thing I’ve read." The letter was intended for Republicans. He plans to reply to the letter, which was sent round for those present to see.

Charlie Bakle advised that starting February 1 and running through March 21, every Friday there will be a fish fry at the Knights of Columbus, open to the public. This is a good place to connect with people.

Charlie Bakle announced that on Jan. 24 there will be a meeting of township officials which will be closed to all but members – the county engineer will be giving a report on road projects. Annual membership fee is $5 and he said that anyone running for a county office should join. Meals are $5.

Vic Vogel sent around a letter from Norwalk resident George Mays announcing his candidacy for the 5^th Congressional District seat on the Democratic ticket.

.-------------.

Filling BOE seat at end of current term.    Maryann Bakle nominated Brenda Griffith for re-election by the DCDP Central Committee for a seat on the BOE. Pat Walter nominated Johanna Diehl for the position. Brenda briefly spoke on behalf of her own candidacy. Brenda captured 13 of the votes cast by the 23 present who were eligible to vote, and expressed appreciation for the confidence shown in her performance.

RuthAnn Schofield, a former member of Defiance Township Zoning Board of Appeals, said that she had been voted off the board, having differed with trustees as to the legality of some actions. Charlie Bakle spoke highly of Mrs. Schofield’s tenure and his disappointment in the behavior of other members. Mrs. Schofield plans to run for trustee in the next election.

Gary Smiddy, who will be running for Sheriff in the next election, took the floor to address serious rumors which are tainting his candidacy. He explained that when he objected to Sheriff Westrick’s attempt to overlook a felony committed by his brother, he incurred the full wrath of the sheriff’s office. Having refused to be a "yes man," Smiddy said, he was given the option of resigning or being fired. He refused to resign, was therefore fired, and since then says he has endured a series of trumped-up charges by Westrick. Charlie Bakle recalled a time when Westrick had fired three of his employees who he found attempting to unionize the sheriff’s office. It was the consensus that Westrick is not a satisfactory sheriff. However, it is important to run a candidate who is above reproach. Brenda Griffith said that Smiddy meets and exceeds the credentials necessary to be sheriff. Joe O’Neil spoke for many when he opined that Smiddy should be pro-active as to what he would do in that job, which has long been held by Westrick, and that, as well, he should address the rumors so that details are not left to people’s imagination. He will shortly have a website, "smiddyforsheriff.com". Meantime, he can be reached at his celphone (419 576-9182) or by emailing blufftonbeaver33@yahoo.com.

Charlie Bakle said that Clyde Ross will be retiring from ODOT garage in March. Ed Brown, asst. county manager, will be retiring in September, and Charlie would like to be appointed to succeed him. (The Steering Committee met after the meeting adjourned and voted to endorse him for this position)

Joe O’Neil brought to our attention an article in the Sunday New York Times about an Obama staffer who was a participant in the conference call at the Diehl’s Obama house party.

Charlie Gray asked for endorsement for himself and Brenda Griffith to be reappointed to the State Executive Committee. Maryann Bakle motioned that Gray and Griffith be so endorsed. Joe O’Neil seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.

Howard Tropepe motioned to adjourn, seconded by Pat Walter. The motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Beverly Peterson, Acting Recording Secretary

EXHIBIT 1.1

REGULAR INCOME

   CASH BALANCE                                                            $    554.47

   INCOME FROM FUNDRAISER                                        1,192.50

EXHIBIT 1.2