Minutes of Meeting
November 10, 2009
Present: J. Bakey, D. Sirotkin Butler, M. Crewe, B. Cutler, J. Dalton, R. Elwell, R. Feldman, S. Garballey, D. Goldsmith, K. Haase, G. Hooper, A. Kraus, E. Schwartz, T. Shannon, R. Smith, D. Landskov, P. Schwartz, P. Rickter, D. Rickter, D. Collins, E. Greene, T. Walsh, M. Harrington, L. Bishop, H. Fowles, Nora Mann, Matt Giancola. (27)
Vice-Chair Tim Shannon chaired the meeting in the absence of the Chair. Each attendee introduced him- or herself to the group.
The minutes from the meeting of October 15 were unanimously accepted.
Ed Schwartz, Treasurer, reported that the current ADTC account balance is $10,772.07. This includes $5,062 net in the account from the October 25 fundraiser, after subtracting $693 in expenses. An additional $908 of the 2008 office funds also remains in our account. The October 25 fundraiser raised a total of $8,712 for the 2010 office.
No activity this time.
Tim reported that he had again invited some younger people to come to a Town Committee meeting, but no one could come. He encouraged members to let him know of any under-35s they know; he would be happy to call them.
Tim and Janice Bakey reported that the MLK observance is Sunday, January 24, from 6 to 9 pm at Town Hall. The MLK committee was unable to get Town Hall for MLK Day itself (1/18) because the hall has to be set up for the Senate election the next day. Janice asked people to be sure to hand their food to a Boy Scout when they arrive; the Scouts are in charge of this task as part of their community service.
Tim and Ed both noted that the fundraiser had been a huge success both financially and in terms of building community among Democrats. Tim thanked the Fundraising Committee members for their efforts, as well as Gwen Hooper and Adele Kraus for organizing the food, and Deb Sirotkin Butler for publicity. Members noted that the discussion with the four legislators was very substantive and valuable.
Tim reported that Alan Khazei would be in Cambridge on Thursday, November 12 from 7 to 8:30 pm for an event.
Matt Giancola, the field coordinator of the Tim Murray campaign for Middlesex County, reported that the Lieutenant Governor is holding informal events at restaurants. He invited everyone to come to an Arlington event Monday, November 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Scutra, 92 Summer Street. The suggested contribution is $25, and an RSVP to Matt at 508-826-9077 or matt@timmurray.org is requested. The campaign is currently focused on the caucuses and signature drives; they will be looking for Senate district and town coordinators. The Murray campaign operates separately from the Patrick campaign until after the primary.
Nora Mann spoke on behalf of Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley’s Senate campaign (she is the coordinator for the Senate district). She said that Coakley by her position had changed the discussion on the healthcare/abortion question. She encouraged people to get in touch with her if they are interested in volunteering.
Deb Goldsmith and others spoke on behalf of Congressman Mike Capuano’s Senate campaign. Deb noted that there is information on the Capuano website about call-in sessions that Capuano is hosting. There are opportunities for visibility and phonebanking, and she has yard signs.
Tim reported that the forum will be Saturday, November 21 at a school in Lincoln, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. It is co-sponsored by other towns in addition to Arlington and Lexington.
Tim reported that Arlington has also agreed to co-sponsor a Cambridge/Somerville forum at the JFK School of Government in Cambridge. More details will be forthcoming.
Paulette Schwartz reported that there is now a need for toiletries, winter clothing, and blankets. Local groups are organizing around the holidays. Tango Restaurant is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for the residents.
Deb Goldsmith suggested that future fundraisers, instead of setting a minimum contribution, should suggest one and encourage those on limited incomes to contribute what they could. Particularly in this economic climate, many cannot afford a fixed-dollar event like the Oct. 25 one. There was some discussion of balancing the goal of fundraising and the goal of bringing in volunteers and new members, including a suggestion of a spring event whose primary goal would be attracting volunteers. It would make sense to wait until after the Senate election to start planning this. Rep. Sean Garballey suggested that a draw such as a Senator or the Governor would help attract interest, and offered to help with this.
There was also a lively discussion of the Stupak amendment to the House health care bill and its effect on the prospects for reform. Some people expressed an interest in having similar discussions of issues at future meetings.
The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, December 16, at the Community Safety Building, 112 Mystic Street, at 7:30 p.m.
Some planned dates for future meetings are Wednesday, 1/13; Thursday, 3/18; Tuesday, 4/13; and Wednesday, 6/16. February and May dates are still to be decided.
A motion to adjourn was made and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Haase
Secretary