Minutes of Meeting
January 13, 2010
Present: J. Bakey, E. Benson, D. Sirotkin Butler, A. Coolidge, M. Crewe, M. Cummings, B. Cutler, P. Deal, R. Elwell, R. Feldman, C. Friedman, S. Garballey, K. Haase, G. Hooper, A. Kraus, P. Morrison, I. Rhodes, P. Schlichtman, E. Schwartz, T. Shannon, R. Smith, B. Weniger, P. Schwartz, P. Rickter, D. Rickter, K. Donnelly, S. Belkziz, B. Kennedy Pfister, D. Collins, E. Greene, M. Mahin, M. Harrington, L. Bishop, H. Fowles, Nora Mann, Gloria Zarr, Adam Green, Cynthia Tollen. (38)
Each attendee introduced him- or herself to the group.
The minutes from the meeting of December 16 were unanimously accepted. Kim Haase, Secretary, read a thank-you note from Janice Bakey of the MLK Observance Committee thanking the ADTC for its sponsorship. Janice noted that the ADTC has been a continuous supporter of the annual observance since its beginning.
Ed Schwartz, Treasurer, reported that the current ADTC bank account balance is $10,787.07. $50 was contributed to the Martin Luther King event as voted in last meeting. An additional $50 from the Sons of Italy fund raiser was received, raising the funds already earmarked for the campaign office to $6,020. An email reminder was sent to those who still owe their 2009 dues.
Katherine (didn’t catch a last name) of the Steve Grossman campaign apologized for a date mixup that prevented Steve from coming to the meeting as had been planned. He will be at the next meeting on February 10. Katherine reported that Steve was working very hard for Martha Coakley. His web site is stevegrossman.com.
Aimee Coolidge, Chair, reported that Guy Glodis and Suzanne Bump, candidates for Auditor, will also be at the February 10 meeting.
No activity this time.
Nora Mann reported that the polls show the race between Coakley and Brown to be very close. Aimee said that every ADTC member needs to do phonebanks and/or signholding and/or personal outreach to all their friends and acquaintances.
Nora and others provided information on phone banks, the major effort. Lynn Bishop reported that there would be a visibility Saturday morning. Tim Shannon circulated a sign-up sheet for Election Day signholding and vote-count collection.
At Aimee’s request, a motion was made and approved unanimously to allocate up to $500 for election-related expenses.
Brigid Kennedy Pfister asked for volunteers to host out-of-state volunteers who are coming to help out because of the urgency felt at the national level about this race.
Aimee asked for reactions to the discussion held at the library on Monday, January 11 about the Patrick campaign’s strategy for winning in November. The meeting was attended by Sydney Asbury, the campaign manager (as had been planned) and, at shorter notice, by the Governor himself. Attendees reported great satisfaction with the Governor’s responsiveness to their concerns and to issues they raised. Cindy Friedman noted that it is significant that the Governor felt it important to come to Arlington himself.
Aimee reported again that the Committee will hold a caucus on Saturday, February 13, 2010 to elect 35 delegates and 5 alternates to the State Convention to be held June 4-5 in Worcester. The caucus will be held in the Community Room of Robbins Library starting at 10 a.m. Aimee circulated a signup sheet for those interested in running as Patrick delegates, to ensure that we get a full slate of delegates. Aimee also asked for volunteers to help on the caucus day in case so many people run that we need to have ballots.
Janice Bakey reminded everyone that the MLK observance is Sunday, January 24, from 6 to 9 pm at Town Hall.
Mary Cummings reported that she had completed a new design for the website and that she would publish it after the Senate election.
Paulette Schwartz reported that the number of Gateway families is down to about 30 and continuing to decrease as the families get housing vouchers. She thanked people for their great generosity at Christmas. The Friends of the Gateway Committee is disbanding, because the needs of the current families are being met. The committee members are moving on to other ways to help the homeless.
Pat Deal presented some news from the State Committee: there will be a Democratic Campaign Institute on Friday and Saturday, February 26-27, at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. The cost is $55. On Sunday, there will be a training session for candidates. Pat noted that in the recent past these events have been held in distant parts of the state, so this is a good opportunity.
The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, February 10, in the Community Room of Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave., at 7:00 p.m.
Planned dates for future meetings are Thursday, 3/18; Tuesday, 4/13; Thursday, 5/13; and Wednesday, 6/16.
A motion to adjourn was made and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Haase
Secretary