January 2010 Minutes

Marblehead Democratic Town Committee

26 South Street

Marblehead, MA 01945

www.marbleheaddems.org
philsweeney@comcast.net

 

Minutes

MDTC Meeting, January 25, 2010

 

Members present: Ron Amon, John Arata, Larry Alexander, Jim Carrigan, Ann Cohen, Mary Cooney-Glazer, Rep. Lori Ehrlich, Joan Hanley, Margie Herrick, Joyce Morgan Kennard, Renee Keaney, Carl King, Jean Landreth, Rose Ann McCarthy, Marilyn Segal, Marcia Sweeney, Phil Sweeney

 

Guests present: Burt Apple, Lewis Athanas, Jack Butterworth (Press), Kristen Cullen, Sen, Thomas McGee, Jacob Segal, Barbara Shefftz, Peter True

 

Chairman Sweeney called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

Treasurer Horan was absent and the Chairman gave the financial report. The balance: $2,038.28. Treasurer Horan has filed our mandatory financial report. It is listed on the Secretary of State’s website.

 

The Chairman announced that the MDTC Caucus will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2010, 11:00 a.m., Meeting Room, Abbot Library, 235 Pleasant St.

The Caucus will elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Nominating Convention to be held in Worcester on June 4-5, 2010. Only those registered as Democrats by December 31, 2009 are eligible to run for a delegate slot.

 

Letters to inactive members have been mailed. To date, only Tim Bassett has responded. He has resigned as a Regular Member and wishes to become an Associate Member.

 

The Chairman noted that he has been appointed an At-Large Member of the American Public Power Association’s Policy Makers Council representing New England. He also mentioned that he is a candidate for a 4th term on the Abbot Library Board of Trustees and asked for support from the membership.

 

Rose Ann McCarthy announced that she is a candidate for a seat on the Board of Selectmen and asked for members’ support.

 

A Washington Post survey on the Coakley/Brown race has been posted on marbleheaddems.org.

 

A representative for Steve Grossman, Candidate for Treasurer, was introduced. He asked for members support at the State Convention.

 

Former Rep. and former Sec. of Labor Suzanne Bump, Candidate for Auditor, addressed the membership and asked for their support at the State Convention.

 

Rep. Lori Ehrlich spoke briefly on the transparency issue regarding legal fees of 4378,000 expended by the House. She will speak at greater length on this issue next month after doing more research. The membership voted to send a letter to Speaker DeLeo expressing their opinion and asking for complete disclosure on this issue. The Chairman will send a copy of the letter to the membership and give to Rep. Ehrlich for hand-delivery to the Speaker. She will also speak on the latest Education Reform Bill next month.

 

Former 6th CD Representative Michael Harrington was Special Guest Speaker. He gave his analysis of what Democrats must do to win elections. He believes that people will accept “tough talk” if they believe you are sincerely working to help them. He also stated that candidates should not fear being candid. He also deplored the “militarization of our foreign policy. Harrington took questions from the members.

 

It was moved and voted to send a donation of $100 to Hospice of the North Shore in memory of Life Member Ruth Zirin. It was noted by the members that Ruth served in many capacities on the MDTC as Secretary, campaign worker, volunteer for fundraisers and good friend. She will be greatly missed.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.