Jefferson Dems in 2007

JEFFERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

1. The year started off a little slow.  Everyone was pretty tired after working so hard in the 2006 elections.  Jefferson County had the second highest voter turnout in the General Election in November, so we were feeling pretty good, a new Democratic Clerk of Circuit Court, Democrats elected to School Board and County Commission.
2.  However in February, it didn’t take us long to realize how close it is to 2008, and we’d better get busy.  Our Budget Committee recommended and we passed a proposed budget of $5,000 for the year.  We elected two new Committee members, Fred Williams (ll) and Betty Irvin (15).
3. In March we had our 3^rd annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, with Hon. Alex Sink, CFO, our guest speaker.  Complete with Irish food and fiddlin’ music, it was a huge success with over 100 people. This event raised the $2,000 necessary to get a State party match.
4. In April, our meeting was held at the Memorial Missionary Baptist Church.  A good crowd turned out to hear our Leonard Joseph, Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party, and enjoy hamburgers and hotdogs.  All Democratic voters in Precinct 5 received an invitation.  Over 700 cards were sent out.  A Democratic candidate for House District 10, A. J. Smith, appeared in the office one day and gave us a printer/copier.  Also, in April the Committee organized and held a book sale for the Jefferson County Library, raising almost $700 for the Friends of the Library.  Member Bob Crew represented us at the Democratic County Chairs Association Retreat in Orlando.
5. In May, Bettie Hogle and Eleanor Hawkins attended the Small County Coalition Convention in Gainesville.  This 2 day meeting included training in the use of the Party’s data base as well as important information about our role in future State elections.  Also in May the Party gave awards for graduating seniors with the highest grade average in American Government. 
6. In June, Fred Williams and a great group of volunteers put together the Democratic booth at the Watermelon Festival.  We had a water bottle labeling party, then turned out for the booth event, registering voters and spreading good will. The race to fill Senate District 3 was upon us, and with hardly any notice we sent cards to registered Democrats in the District, then made phone calls to over 500 of them.  Ms. Franks lost but she carried Jefferson County.  Our turnout was low and very disappointing, so we know we have lots of work to do. 
7. Our July “Beat the Heat Party” was a fun event with good food, music, speeches, (Rep. Loranne Ausley was keynote speaker), and a successful fundraiser. Over $1500 was raised to help fund our activities.

       8.  Dems Host Successful Town Hall Meeting.  On August 14, Jefferson County voters heard Harvey Bennett of Florida Tax Watch explain the new tax law and proposed constitutional amendment to be on the ballot on Jan. 29, 2008.  State Rep. Curtis Richardson, Dick Bailar and Property Appraiser David Ward also spoke on the subject.  Local government revenues, thus services, will be negatively impacted by this legislation, and voters are urged to study the effect of this amendment before voting on Jan. 29. Also, on August 14 a short business meeting of the Jefferson DEC was held and the following precinct committeemen and women were elected: Precinct 1-Richard Hotz, Precinct 3-Gwen Beat, Precinct 5-Fred Mosley and Bettie Hogle, Precinct 7-C. P. Miller, Precinct 12-David Collins, and Precinct 15-Bill Brumfield.  

9.  Sen. Bill Nelson and wife, Grace Nelson, visit Jefferson County.  The Sage Restaurant was the venue for Sen. Nelson's recent visit to Monticello.  Local elected officials and guests were invited to ask questions and voice concerns at this event on August 8.  Grace Nelson was the guest for a women's luncheon sponsored by local Democrats at The Mays House. It was an informal session with an unusual opportunity to talk face to face with our Senator's wife. 

 10. New voters/newcomers welcome project plans made.New Democratic voters and newcomers will be presented with an attractive bag containing information on local services and facilities, county map and other useful items in a plan being implemented by the local Democratic Party.  Volunteers are also calling on some voters to get better addresses and information on important issues.

11.Sen. Al Lawson talks to Jefferson Co. voters in Precinct 12 .On Sept. 20, Sen. Al Lawson, the main speaker at the barbecue in Wacissa, expressed a great deal of optimism for the future of Democrats in the up coming elections.  He pointed out that the opposing party was in essence self-destructing with the National, State and local problems they have created with no resolutions in sight.  He indicated that there were several seats statewide in both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives that were vulnerable and the potential was high for a Democrat to be elected.    Senator Lawson told the group that Susan Franks would once again challenge Charles Dean, a Senator representing part of Jefferson County, for his Senate seat in November of 2008.  Senator Lawson indicated that the potential for winning is much greater since for this election, Ms. Franks has time to prepare, unlike the last special election.  Jefferson County Democrats held their Sept. social/business “get-together” at the Beth Page Missionary Baptist Church on September 20.  It has been several years since such an event has been held in Wacissa.  With the assistance of Naomi Cummings, Don McLeod and other community leaders, the event was a success.  Carmen Cummings, a former Wacissa resident also attended. County Officials and candidates for City Offices were introduced as well as new Jefferson County Democratic Party precinct captains.   A delicious barbecue pork dinner prepared by Chuck Husbands was served.  The fellowship, optimism, and support for the Party goals was noticeably high.  

12. Rep. Curtis Richardson spoke at Democratic Party meeting on Oct. 9.Rep. Richardson was the speaker at the regular meeting of the Jefferson County Democratic Party, at the County Library,.  Richardson reviewed the current status of ballot issues for Jan. 29, 2008, as well as budget cuts being considered by the Florida Legislature in the special session.  A straw vote was taken on the presidential candidates. Leaders were Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. 

13.Local Democrats attend Fl Dem Party Women’s Event . Democratic women in the North Florida area were invited to the Lemoyne Art Gallery on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, for a party fundraiser.  These events are being held around the State to energize volunteers, especially women, to become active in the 2008 campaign. Party Chair Karen Thurman spoke briefly on party goals. Beautiful art work, enhanced by delicious refreshments, was enjoyed by Jefferson County attendees, Jan Simmons, Cissy Boyd, Eleanor Hawkins and Janegale Boyd, who was also a hostess.

14. Florida Dem Party Chair encourages All Dems to vote on Jan. 29. Local members of the State Executive Committee , DNC representatives and the press were on hand in a conference call on September 29 to discuss the decision of the State Party that the Jan. 29 ‘08 Presidential Primary will be the opportunity for Democrats to vote on the various presidential candidates as well as other issues that might be on the ballot.  This is in spite of the National Party ruling that this will penalize Florida at the National Convention in August 2008. Questions and comments were asked of Party Chair Karen Thurman, and other Party officials.  Ms. Thurman gave the following explanations: Jan. 29 will be a fair and open election, statewide; there will be maximum participation, overseas voters (including Armed Services Personnel) and early voters participating; other issues on the ballot, municipal and tax matters, and municipal elections will be important for voters to consider as well; and, this is the fiscally responsible method, any other method would be very costly and an unwise use of party resources.  Ms. Thurman said that Republican attacks, urging Democratic voters to switch sides as well as calling the election “a beauty contest”, should be countered.

15. Jefferson County Democratic Party recognized at the State Democratic Convention .Local Party Delegates to the State Convention, Troy Avera, Ron Cichon, John and Eleanor Hawkins, and Ashley and Richard Hotz were happy to receive $2,000 as a match for 2007 early fund raising efforts by the Jefferson County Party.  In addition, Jefferson County was one of four north Florida counties to receive the Biennial Golden Gavel Award.  In presenting the award, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen L. Thurman said, “We salute the Jefferson County Democrats for building an organization that can readily contribute to the support of Democratic candidates and initiatives.” Funny things happen on the way to the …convention. Ask Ron how he commandeered a bus when the parking system broke down.

16. Congressman Allen Boyd Honored at Convention. Our own congressman was lauded several times at the State Convention for his work on the Appropriations Committee and his leadership of the Blue Dog Coalition which is committed to fiscal responsibility.  US Senator Bill Nelson said Boyd had the intelligence to tackle complicated fiscal matters and the ability to relate to working men and women.  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called Boyd a “good friend” and said his work with the Blue Dogs is essential to getting the country back on the path of fiscal responsibility.  State Party

17. Newcomer Welcome Project Takes Off. In November,Volunteers began collecting items to go in the newcomers’ baskets in November, and even delivered some!  Included is information such as advertisements from businesses in the county together with county maps, precinct maps, recycling information, Chamber and Opera House literature and even some local jelly and pecans.  Donors for this project include Jan Simmons, Cynthia Connolly, and Cissy Boyd.  The bags are given to newcomers or new voters in the County and help to establish a connection with local Democratic Party and new county residents.

18. On Dec. 9, Jefferson County Democrats enjoyed fun, food, and fellowship at The Mays House, hosted by Carrie Ann & Co., Jan Simmons, Nancy Wideman, Bob Crew, Bettie Hogle, Mary Ann Clarke, Shelley and Dave Watkins, Beth Davis, Gladys Roann and other contributors.  A number of cakes were donated by Mae Eva Kyler and Paul Kovary of the Jefferson Nursing Center.  Seventy-Five guests attended the festivities and contributions were collected for the Jefferson County Senior Center’s new building fund. Elected officials Kirk Reams, Clerk of Circuit Court, School Superintendent Phil Barker, County Commissioner Gene Hall, School Board Member Franklin Hightower, City Councilman Tom Vogelgesang and newly elected Councilman John Jones were on hand to enjoy the event.  Also introduced were 2008 candidates Angela Gray, for Property Appraiser, Ann Ransom Reddick, for County Commissioner District 3, and Bill Brumfield, for Superintendent of Schools.   Sissy Kilpatrick led the carol singing, and a spirited report on the 2007 State Democratic Convention was given by Ron Cichon, who urged all to get active and work to elect Democrats in 2008! Left over goodies were contributed to the Senior Center and Boys and Girls Club.

19. Committee Members attend Training Session in Live Oak.The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park was the site of a Dec. 1 meeting sponsored by the Democratic County Chairs Association and the Small County Coalition of the Florida Democratic Party.  Elected officials, community leaders, and other active members from 9 counties were on hand to learn of new enhancements to the Party’s Voter Database program, building DEC capacity, Vote by Mail Outreach, and creating value for the Presidential campaigns.  Attending were Bob Crew, Julie Conley, Ashley and Richard Hotz , and Eleanor Hawkins.  Alison Morano, Pasco County DEC Vice-Chair, was trainer and Rhett Bullard, DEC Chair, Hamilton County, was moderator.

20. Local DEC staffs Booth at Downtown Christmas Event On Friday night, Dec. 7, Santa Claus came to visit Monticello on a fire truck!  Among other vendors on hand to greet him were the Jefferson County Democrats, giving out literature on candidates, Vote by Mail applications and Petition Forms for instituting a new redistricting process.  Setting up and staffing the booth were Fred Williams, Earl Hoover, Claudette and Bill McRae, Jack and Jan Simmons, Ginger and Gerald Hodges, County Commissioner Gene Hall, Ashley and Richard Hotz, and young Democratic activist, Scott Goodlin.  Scott, a county resident, is now the President of the Young Democrats at TCC, and plans to assist the local Party in recruiting young people and enhancing the web page.  Several new volunteers signed up, and local Democrats stopped by to get information. 

21. New voters/newcomers welcome project implemented.   Before Christmas, some new Democratic voters and newcomers were presented with attractive bags containing information on local services and facilities, a county map and other useful items, including local jelly and pecans.  The effort also assists the local party in obtaining better addresses and getting out information on important issues.  Fred Williams, Eleanor Hawkins, and Jan Simmons are working on this project, but help is needed to deliver the bags.  The bags and visits were warmly received when delivered.  Some of those visited needed Vote by Mail and Change of Address forms, so the visits were well worth it.

22.  Interested Jefferson County Democrats were kept informed and up-to-date by quarterly printed newsletters and monthly e-newsletters.  Also letters to new voters were mailed periodically during the year.

All of this would not be possible without a great group of committed and energetic volunteers.  Please join us!!! We have lots of work to do between now and November, 2008.