Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of 5/06/2002 meeting:

Attendees: Members - Chair Ann Sheinwald, Tanner Cronin, Tom Delaney, Laura Dickey, Bruce Franklin, Rose McMullen, Ruth Perrault, Mary Sibbalds, David Wise, Helen Rush-Lloyd, Nan Chase, James Collins, Nancy Delaney, Pat Koechlin, & Bernie Koechlin.

Associates - Vernice Gaietto

Members excused: Henry Yorra, Mary Curran, Nancy Ebeling, Martha Norton, Claire Costello, & Mary Francis.

Friends: Jim McCloy, Ruth Gillies, Nina & Judge Fieldsteel,

Guests: Charlie McCarthy, Bob McGilvery, Claire (Perrault)

Chair Sheinwald called the meeting at the Rockport Library to order at 7:00 p.m. The agenda began with guest speaker, Nancy Murray, Bill of Rights Education Director for the ACLU of Massachusetts who discussed the USA Patriot Act and the failings thereof with respect to civil liberties and the rights of immigrants, specifically the erosion of 4^th amendment protections (probable cause, among others). Notably, both MA Senators and 4 of the US House Representative voted for the Act (while 4 did not, including 6^th District Representative Tierney). In addition, she left us with several handouts regarding the Act and its consequences. (Ms. Murray’s daughter Rebecca accompanied her mother. Rebecca has recently returned from a peace mission in Ramallah!)

A motion was made and approved that the Committeeion send letters of concern to our elected public officials from the Committee. Helen Rush-Lloyd volunteered Harold Rush-Lloyd to draft a letter which shall be sent to the Committee secretary who will issue the letter to Federal, State, and local elected officials.

The Committee treasurer, Pat Koechlin, gave a report on the current state of Committee finances. We started January, 2002, with a balance of $1303. Revenue to date includes sale of tickets to the February spaghetti dinner, $1366, contributions, $26, and dues to-date, $345, for a total of $1737. Outlays in 2002 to-date include spaghetti dinner expenses, $594, expenses for delegates/alternates to the June 2002 State convention, $370, and mailing expenses, $38, for a total of $1002. The balance ($1303 + $1737 - $1002) to-date is $2028.

The Chair announced that the July garden meeting will be held on Friday, the 12^th, at the lovely home and garden of Nan Chase.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50p.m.