Minutes from November's Genesee County Democratic Party Meeting

Below are the minutes from November's Genesee County Democratic Party Meeting. If you have corrections or revisions, send them here.

Genesee County Democratic Party

Executive Board Minutes

November 10, 2011

Attendance:

Executive Board Members/ Party members/ Precinct Delegates/guests: Rep. Jim Ananich, John D. Cherry, Deb Cherry, Delrico Lloyd, Patricia Eriksson, Cathy Frederick, John Frederick, Alex Isaac, Christine Jaranowski, Rob Jewell, Art Reyes, Dan Reyes, Donald Wasserman, State Rep. Charles Smiley, Gerri Hall, John Bates, Alex Clark, Mary Dillard, Rosie Finney, Maryion Lee, Marge Verbel, Jim Smith, Betty Wilkins, John Nickola, Paul Rozycki, Joe Massey, Steve Montel, Marilyn Daniels, Brian Harding,  Claudia Croom, Kyle McCree, Sheila Johnson-Toins, Sally Shaheen Joseph

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by the Chair, Art Reyes and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  A moment of silence was observed for those who have fallen since our last meeting.

Introduction of Guests:  The elected officials in attendance who were recognized by Chair Reyes were: Representative Jim Ananich, State Rep. Charles Smiley, County Treasurer Deb Cherry, and City Councilman Delrico Lloyd.

Art gave the floor to County Treasurer, Deb Cherry, who explained what is transpiring downtown regarding the Land Bank.

Deb was followed by State Representative Charles Smiley who talked about the proposed changes to the “no fault” insurance and the resulting “bail out” of the auto insurance industry should the proposal be approved.

Chair’s Report:  Chair Reyes discussed the results of the November 4th election. He praised the members of the committee who made the recall of State Representative Paul Scott possible, especially Marcy Hemseberg and Frank Burger

Marcy thanked everyone who was involved in the recall effort and especially the voters who turned out Scott by a margin of 232 votes.

Art discussed the election which will be held in February to select candidates to run for the now vacant seat in the 51st, soon to be the 50th house seat. He indicated he will not be running because, while he resides in the 51st, but with the redistricting, while he will still be living in the same place, that place will no longer be considered to be in the 51st. Therefore, it would be counterproductive to run for a seat now he could not run to keep next year. He stated that he supports Representative Charles enthusiastically for the 51st. We must select a GREAT candidate to run whom we can get behind enthusiastically! The candidate will be selected by the precinct delegates from the district fifteen days after the results of the election have been certified.

Dorina Sain suggested Art issue a news release stating that he does not intend to run and urging will qualified candidates to put their names out there for consideration.

Art said it will be an open process and the candidates will be vetted.  He urged us to work harder to get out the vote and be seen as THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. There is much talent in Genesee County and we must promote the Genesee County Party.

He reminded us that the Democratic Party will be holding a conference in Lansing at the Lansing Convention Center on Saturday starting at nine AM. There will be caucus meetings in the morning and the “Engage Michigan” meeting starting around noon.

Minutes: Minutes from the October meeting were presented.  It was moved, supported and carried to accept the minutes as presented.  (Attachment A)

Treasurer’s Report: A report was presented by Treasurer, Donald Wasserman.    A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report.   The motion carried (Attachment B)

Officers’ Reports:   None

Committee Reports:  Alex Isaac presented the preliminary report from the Congressional Dinner. This point, the projected net is $12,599. (Attachment C)

Caucus Reports:  Maryion Lee reposted that the Progressive Caucus suggested that the Party

Co-sponsor the holiday Party at Region 1 C on December 13th. (Attachment D)

The Progressive caucus is sponsoring an event at Whiting Auditorium on November 22nd,

at 6:30Pm, featuring Michael Moore (Attachment E)

She is also fundraising, selling a series of books regarding reasons for being a Democrat for 3 dollars each. She also stated that we should consider taking hot food to the people who are doing the sit-ins downtown. They need at least on hot meal a day.

A motion was made, seconded and approved to have our meeting on the 13th and co-host the holiday party with the Progressive caucus.

Gerri Hall, reporting for the Black Caucus for Floyd Clack who had to leave early stated they want to do a kick off for next year’s elections in early December

Patricia Eriksson, of the Southern Genesee County Democratic Club provided an update with regard to the activities of the club.  

Betty Wilkins, representing the Women’s Caucus stated that the caucus has been maintain the grounds around the headquarters building and wanted to know our intentions regarding the building. Art assured her that the building is totally committed and the air conditioner will be replaced next spring. Someone mentioned a new device to prevent the theft of the air conditioner.

Mary Dillard announced that The Ruben Burks Scholarship event will be held on December 3rd at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, at 5 PM. Tickets are twenty five dollars each. It was moved, seconded, and approved to purchase four tickets to the event.

Old Business:   There was no old business.

New Business:   There was no new business

Good and Welfare:

Tim Sneller announced a fundraiser for Charles Smiley on December 1st at Trapper Joes in Burton.

Kyle Mc Cree moved that we authorize the chair to spend up to $5,000. From the PAC funds to assist the candidate in the 51st House race, seconded, approved.

It was announced that the Urban League was hosting an event at Riverfront Banquet Center on Saturday. Tickets are fifty dollars each.

Dan Reyes announced the opening of his Mexico at the Market restaurant inside City Market

Andy Levitt announced that Dan Kildee officially announced his candidacy for the position of United States Representative, the seat being vacated by his Uncle, Congressman Dale Kildee.

The meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 7:17PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sally Shaheen Joseph,

Secretary