Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of 10/04/03 meeting:

Attendees: Members - Chair Ann Sheinwald, Helen Rush-Lloyd, Pat Koechlin, Bernie Koechlin, Bruce Franklin, Tom Delaney, Hal Rush-Lloyd, Josh Brackett, Rose McMullen, Mary Curran, Mary Sibbalds, Vernice Gaietto, Ruth Gillies, Nancy Ebeling, Martha Norton, Bob Luoma, Nan Chase, James Collins, Laura Dickey, Dan Hoch, Dan Lauzon, and David Wise

Associates - Hildy Feuerbach and Jacqueline Paulson

Friends - Lois Lundell

Members excused: Henry Yorra, Ruth Perrault, James McCloy, June McCloy, Mary Francis, Tanner Cronin, and Sally Chapdelaine.

Chair Sheinwald called the meeting at the Rockport Library to order at 2 p.m. The meeting opened with a discussion about signing nomination papers for election to membership on the Rockport Democratic Town Committee for a 4-year term at the Presidential primaries election in March of 2004. As a result of the “20 year rule” in the Charter of the Mass State Democratic Party, members who have served 20 years or more are life-long members of the Town/City Committee and do not need to sign nomination papers since they are continuing members. To honor 20 or 20+ year members of the Rockport Democratic Town Committee, certificates of recognition for valued service were awarded to Nancy Ebeling, Martha Norton, Ann Sheinwald, and David Wise who were present. In addition, certificates will be provided to Ruth Perrault and Henry Yorra who were unable to attend the October meeting.

Helen Rush-Lloyd reported on the recent meeting of town/city committee chairs by Congressman Tierney’s office to discuss ways to raise the consciousness of voters and potential voters regarding issues of current concern and to register more voters as Democrats. Ann Sheinwald indicated that she had provided voter registration lists by precinct to individuals who had expressed interest in receiving training to register Democrats (which is being done successfully in Gloucester): Dan Hoch in Precinct 3, Jim & June McCloy in Precinct 1, and Johanna Rittenberg in Precinct 2.

On September 17, Tom Delaney attended a State Committee meeting in Dorchester at which the following was discussed: the new website of the State Committee and new affinity card (Master Card) which is available thru a Delaware bank which provides that when the cardholder makes his/her first purchase, the Mass State Party will receive $40, $10 of which will go to the Town/City Committee where the cardholder lives in Massachusetts. Tom provided applications which all present were invited to use.

Pat Koechlin gave a report of the current status of the treasury. After expenses for such items as the July picnic and the 4^th of July parade were subtracted from dues and gifts received, the balance is currently $1890.55. The Chair suggested that the Committee purchase a banner to use in parades, as a wall hanging, wherever needed. David Wise suggested vinyl to prolong its life/use. Consensus was that this is a good idea.

Rose McMullen indicated that the Massachusetts Dem Party website lists the location for the Delegate Information Session for the 6^th Congressional District which is in Lynn Massachusetts. The website address is listed on the Rockport Membership Sheets available in the back of the room.

David Wise gave us an overview of his activities with the Veterans for Peace, which is an organization supporting the Bill of Rights against the assault of the Patriot Act and which actively advocates a rollback or reform of the Patriot Act. In addition to handing out informative literature at the Gloucester and Rockport 4^th of July parades, the Veterans for Peace also sponsored an award ceremony (“Championing the Constitution”) in the Great Hall of the State House for the five Massachusetts congressmen who did not vote for the Patriot Act. At the National Convention of the Veterans for Peace next July, David will be holding a workshop on the Bill of Rights.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose McMullen