Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of 06/29/2004 Meeting: Attendees: 29

Members - Ann Sheinwald, Rose McMullen, David Wise, Harold Rush-Lloyd, Helen Rush-Lloyd, Ruth Gillies, Bob Luoma, Nancy Ebeling, Jacqueline Paulson, Maureen Dwinell, Lois Lundell, Martha Norton, James Collins, Pat Koechlin, Bernie Koechlin, Johanna Rittenburg, Vernice Gaietto, Ann-Patrice Hickey, Dan Hoch, Dan Lauzon, Ruth Shorr, and Mary Sibbalds.

Associates: Bobbie Paine, Jane Erb

Enrolled Democrats: Peg Lane, Martha Morgan, Duncan Scott.

Guests: Dina Paulson & a Democrat (name unknown to secretary)

Members excused: Nan Chase, Tanner Cronin, James & June McCloy, Frank Mundo.

Associates: Hildy Feuerbach indicated she couldn’t attend.

At 7:30 pm Chair Sheinwald opened the meeting at the Rockport Town Hall with planning for the 4^th of July parade. Johanna Rittenburg had secured the bank, Neptune Bay (www.neptunebay.com) to play gratis if we can secure a proper truck or flatbed. Dan Lauzon volunteered his truck which needs decorating, however. If Bob Cramer of Neptune Bay agrees, he could haul his 21-ft boat with his truck if the band fits in the boat. Bob will meet with Dan on Thursday to inspect “plan a.” Children could walk in hats and mardi gras beads (in red, white, & blue) & US flags, and dressed in red, white & blue. If the band cannot work with this arrangement, then “plan b” is: kids riding in the truck waving flags. In either case, the truck must be decorated. Johanna and Dan Hoch volunteered to help decorate the truck on Sunday morning at the High School parking lot at 10am. Discussion Possible themes, such as “charting a course to a Democratic Future” or “Future Democrats” or “Charting a New Course,” was discussed.

Ann introduced the granddaughter of Member Jacqueline Paulson, Dina Paulson, a recent college graduate, who announced that the Little Arts Cinema in Rockport will feature the film, Fahrenheit 9/11 starting on July 9 and encouraged Rockport Democrats to see the film. She is an advocate for an informed citizenry and has written an article for the GDTimes, among others, and wants Rockport Dems to encourage as many viewers as possible for this film.

Johanna Rittenburg reported on the First Essex-Middlesex Democratic Coalition (of 17 Communities) and asked for volunteers to assist a coordinated campaign in promoting democratic candidates and building relationships in the community. Volunteers are as follow: House Party Coordinator - Martha Morgan; Sign Locator - Dan Lauzon; Even Identifier - Rose McMullen; Headquarters Rep - Nancy Ebeling (will look into feasibility); Voter Registration Leader - Peggy Lane.

David Wise described a petition regarding a resolution for the Massachusetts delegation to support certain restrictions of the USA Patriot Act. The petition was passed around for signatures.

Peggy Lane described AirAmerica at airamerica.com on the internet which is an alternative to politically right-wing radio talk shows and encouraged everyone to tune in. This is the radio station featuring Al Franken & Randy Rose, among others. The only “local” radio station for AirAmerica is 5080AM out of Portland.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose McMullen