[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, August 24 - Friday, August 31, 2007
Travis County Democratic Party Weekly Newsletter
tcdp_newsletter at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org
Thu Aug 23 16:40:53 CDT 2007
Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter
Friday, August 24 - Friday, August 31, 2007
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IN THIS ISSUE
- Texas Democratic Party News and New Headquarters Opening Event on
Friday, August 24, 2007!
- Pride Build Fundraising Event on Saturday, August 25, 2007
- Upcoming Primary: Important Dates
- Attention All Potential Candidates
- Can You Work 3-5 Elections Over the Next Year?
- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member
- Did you know?
- State Rep. and US Senate Candidate Rick Noriega in Austin, Wednesday,
September 5, 2007
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
- In the News
- Contact Info for TCDP Administrative Office
- Newsletter: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your E-Mail
- To Subscribers Who Use AOL
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TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWS AND NEW HEADQUARTERS OPENING EVENT ON FRIDAY,
AUGUST 24, 2007
The Texas Democratic Party has a new office and web site. They moved from
707 Rio Grande to beautiful new headquarters at 505 W. 12th Street. Suite
200 just down the street from the capitol building.
To go with their new offices, the Texas Democratic Party has a brand new web
site with the same web address, www.txdemocrats.org
<http://www.txdemocrats.org/> . It includes innovative tools and resources
to help Democrats across Texas communicate with each other and organize in
their own communities.
Some of the added features on the new TDP website include:
* Issue-specific
<http://www.txdemocrats.org/page/m/be6cakbq1ss/EvYomJ> information pages on
what it means to be a Texas Democrat;
* Expanded list of Democratic
<http://www.txdemocrats.org/page/m/be6cakbq1ss/SRI94i> elected officials --
from U.S. Representative to the local Justice of the Peace;
* Enhanced Letters
<http://www.txdemocrats.org/page/m/be6cakbq1ss/axkbTL> to the Editor
feature so activists can spread the Democratic message in their community;
* Exciting new Action
<http://www.txdemocrats.org/page/m/be6cakbq1ss/eAGjS0> Center section,
where activists can create a personal profile page and use it to interact
with other Texas Democrats;
Check it out!
Texas Democratic Party New Headquarters Opening
Friday, August 24, 2007
5:30pm-8:00pm
At the new Texas Democratic Party Headquarters, 505 West 12th Street, Suite
200
Tickets, $25
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie invites you to join Senator
Carlos Uresti and special guest Senator Judith Zaffirini for a reception at
the new Texas Democratic Party Headquarters.
AND THEN ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007-
Texas Democratic Party's SDEC Meeting
TIME: Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 9:00am
PLACE: Hilton Austin, 500 E. 4th St.
CONTACT: TDP at 478-9800
The State Democratic Executive Committee meets today. All Democrats are
invited to attend.
Agenda:
9:00am
Advisory Committee in Salon B
Finance Committee in Salon E
Legislative Committee in Salon A
10:00am
Grassroots Committee in Salon B
Sustaining Membership Committee in Salon E
Resolutions/Communications Committee in Salon A
11:00am
Nominations Committee in Salon B
Convention Committee in Salon E
Rules Committee in Salon A
12:00pm
Lunch Break
1:00pm
SDEC General Session in the Highland Lakes Ballroom
Agenda:
I. Opening
II. Moment of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
IV. Call to Order
V. Approval of Agenda
VI. Reading & Approval of Minutes
VII. Recognize Special Guests
VIII. Treasurer's Report
IX. Chair's Report
X. Reports from Committees
a. Nominations
b. Rules
c. Convention
d. Finance
e. Advisory
f. Grassroots
g. Legislative
h. Resolutions/Communications
i. Sustaining Membership
XI. Old Business
XII. New Business
XIII. Announcements
XIV. Adjournment
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PRIDE BUILD FUNDRAISING EVENT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
5:30pm
Home of Chad Gaffney, 600 Harthan St., on the corner of W. 6th St. and
Harthan, one block past Blanco St.
Home for the Holidays House Party with Cocktails, Food and Fun Supporting
Texas' First-Ever Habitat for Humanity Pride Build!
Chad Gaffney invites you and other Pride Build Supporters as we come
together to celebrate the power of our community to change the world for
Austin Habitat for Humanity's partner, Marta.
The Pride Build is the first-ever collaboration between the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender community and Habitat for Humanity.
RSVP and to buy your tickets:
https://secure.toolsfororgs.com/austinhabitat.org/donate/donateonline.php
You ticket price of $25 is also tax deductible!
Marta's story
At age 64, Marta lives a very lonely, isolated life. For the past eight
years Marta has lived in East Austin in a run-down two-room shack where she
rarely has visitors.
Like most Austin Habitat families, Marta wasn't looking for a hand-out. An
independent woman who has spent her entire life working to better herself,
Marta only asked for an opportunity to own her tiny piece of the American
Dream.her very own home.
Please join in helping Marta to join her community and participate in the
holiday season in a whole new way!
The Host Committee
Please join us in acknowledging and honoring the following individuals who
have chosen to support Marta and the first Austin Habitat for Humanity Gay
Pride build. There is still time to be a sponsor for a minimum donation of
$250 (also tax deductible!), and have your name on the sponsor board at the
event and receive 4 tickets for your friends! Please donate at the link
listed above.
Congressman Lloyd and Libby Doggett
Jim Zalles
David Smith
Carol and Chris Adams
Russell Bridges and Ralph Salinas
Celia Israel & Celinda Garza
Michael Harper and Jed Duhon
Robert Raab and Bruce Waterfield
Taylor Andrews
Bob Dailey
Lee Manford
Glen Maxey
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UPCOMING PRIMARY: IMPORTANT DATES
The primary filing dates are now official. In addition, the TCDP has
recently signed venue contracts for both our biennial Campaign Kick-Off
Dinner (formerly known as The Filing Day Dinner) and the March County
Convention so please mark your calendar!
Filing for all who intend to run in the Democratic Primary as a Travis
County candidate is at The Travis County Democratic Party headquarters
located at 1311-B East 6th Street. Our office is approximately six blocks
east of I-35 on the south side of E. 6th between Attayac and Navasota
Streets. For the December/January filing period, office hours will be 8:30
a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
First day to file FOR PRECINCT CHAIRS ONLY. (Precinct Chair filing begins 60
days in advance of regular filing): Thursday, October 4, 2007, 9:00 - 5:00
p.m.
First Day to File for Place on Ballot
Monday, December 3, 2007, 8:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Last Day to File for Place on Ballot
Wednesday, January 2, 2008. 8:30 - 6:00 p.m.
TCDP's Biennial Campaign Kick-Off Dinner
Friday, January 11, 2008
VIP Reception 5:30pm - 6:15pm
General Seating Opens at 6:15pm
Program Begins at 7:00pm
University of Texas Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
2110 San Jacinto Boulevard
Primary Election Day
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Polls open: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Democratic Precinct Conventions
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
To begin at 7:15 p.m. or upon precinct polling location closing
TCDP's County Convention
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Convention sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Palmer Convention Center, 900 Barton Springs Road
All these dates and more are posted on our online calendar. At the top of
the calendar click on 'Next Month' to keep advancing:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php
For more information on filing, call the TCDP at 477-7500 or
info at traviscountydemocrats.org
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ATTENTION ALL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
As the 2008 March Primary draws closer, the TCDP asks that all who
anticipate filing for office during the official filing period next December
call or e-mail the TCDP with your current contact info to include campaign
mailing address, e-mail, phone number(s), web address, campaign manager,
etc. The Party office has already begun receiving calls from local Dem
Clubs and Organizations who would like to add candidate names to their
contact lists and we would like to be able to assist these organizations
with as complete a list as possible. But we cannot provide correct
information if we have not first been notified of your intent to run being
provided updated contact information. Please see below for a recent ask
from the AFL-CIO to all potential candidates. Thank you. TCDP Staff:
477-7500 or info at traviscountydemocrats.org
****************************************************************************
****
CAN YOU WORK 3-5 ELECTIONS OVER THE NEXT YEAR?
The most important item at the TCDP right now is to submit a comprehensive
list of term-appointed Presiding Judges (a.k.a. Election Judges, the folks
who work at your polling locations on Election Day) for a one-year term,
August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008. There will be approximately 3-5 elections
during this one year term depending upon where you live and whether there
will be any run-off elections.
You must live in the precinct in which you work and you will be asked to
work every election that is determined for your precinct. This means
working the March party primary yet also includes elections for city
council, independent school district boards, Austin Community College board,
bond and state constitutional elections, etc. In short, you will represent
the Travis County Democratic Party at party primaries, but you are expected
to work, if possible, each and every election. Pay for the primary is set
by the Texas Secretary of State. Currently the hourly rate for the 2008
Primary is $7.00/hour. All other election pay is $10/hour for
presiding/alternate judges.
TCDP is now putting together a supplemental term-appointed list that can be
submitted to the County Commissioners' no later than October because of the
state constitutional election on November 6, 2007. We currently have 78
positions filled but we need 215 total. In other words, we are at 36% of
having these spots filled but we would certainly like to achieve over 50% if
not 100%.
And here is another reason to keep in mind why we need folks to sign up to
be a Presiding Judge:
If we do not find people to work these polling locations and the county
election folks have to help us recruit judges, the TCDP will be charged a
hefty fee. For the 2006 Primary, the TCDP was charged more for this service
than the Travis County Republican Party. We simply do not want that to
happen again. We are sure that you would agree that the TCDP should spend
more of its money reaching Democratic voters than recruiting judges during
January and February of next year!
Election Judges are needed in the following precincts:
100's
106 107 111 112 113 123 132 137 140 141 145 153 154 156 161
163 164
200's
200 201 202 203 204 205 206 209 210 211 215 216 218 219 220
225 227 228 229 231 232 235 237 240 241 242 243 246 251 253
254 256 260 262 263 267 268 274 275 277 279
300's
301 302 303 304 306 307 309 312 315 317 318 319 321 323 328
329 330 331 333 334 336 339 342 343 346 349 350 351 355 356
360 365 366 367 370 371 373 375 376 377 378 379
400's
402 403 404 405 407 411 412 413 414 422 423 427 429 430 431
443 444 445 447 448 449 450 451 452 455 458 462 463 465 466
To find out what precinct that you live in:
1. Click on the following link:
http://www.traviscountytax.org/showVoterSearch.do. This will take you to
the voter verification page of the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector web
site.
2. On that page, click on "Search for Voter by Name."
3. Put in your last name and first name in the appropriate boxes and
click "Go."
4. Find your name and the address where you are registered and click on
the corresponding certificate number.
5. Your precinct number will be under "Travis County Elections Polling
Location Information" on the left side of the page.
To inquire about being appointed as an election judge for one year, please
contact Garry Brown, 477-7500 or garry at traviscountydemocrats.org
On a related note, Travis County Elections is looking for bilingual
(English/Spanish) election workers. For more information, please call Davia
Prosser at 854-4996.
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BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!
Since 2004, seven Republican-held offices within Travis County have switched
to Democrats, and now, there are only three Republicans left! As you can
see, the TCDP has stepped up to make Travis County even more Democratic!
Sustaining members are our lifeblood. They are the reason that we are open
year-round (one of the five county parties in Texas), have two staff
members, and our work has been so successful. We do not receive any funds
from the national or state parties!
Stand with us and other Travis County residents and support TCDP by becoming
a Member. We have two levels of membership:
Sustaining: minimum of $10.00 per month or $120.00 annually.
Finance Council: minimum of $84.00 per month or $1000.00 annually. Members
at this level receive prominent listing in our publications and web site as
well as at Travis County Democratic Party functions along with free
admission to TCDP sponsored events.
The Travis County Democratic Party is dependent on your generosity for
everything we do!
Susan Shelton, current precinct chair of pct. #160 who became a member in
memory of Mary Ellen Murphy, July 18, 1902-July 13, 2007. "My Great Aunt
Mary voted for the first time when women won suffrage, and she voted in
every election since during her lifetime. She died five days shy of her
105th birthday. Rest in Peace, Mary."
To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to:
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org
and click on "Donate" in the red box at the bottom left of the page. Or
contact us at info at traviscountydemocrats.org or 512-477-7500.
Mailed donations for the Party should be made out to "Travis County
Democratic Party" and sent to:
TCDP
P.O. Box 684263
Austin, TX 78768-4263
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DID YOU KNOW?
The Travis County Democratic Party has two other email lists- Activism and
Events. These lists are used occasionally for folks who want to know more
about action items and particular events respectively.
You may sign up for these lists at the following link:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/newsletter.php
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STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE RICK NORIEGA IN AUSTIN,
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2007
Democracy for Texas Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 6:30pm
PLACE: Scholz's, 1601 San Jacinto
CONTACT: Fran Vincent at fran at democracyfortexas.org
Please join Democracy for Texas for their first meeting of the fall. State
Representative Rick Noriega, who has announced his exploratory committee for
a run for the US Senate, will be the featured speaker.
DFT also hear from Glen Maxey about his run for Travis County Tax Assessor-
Collector (and Voter Registrar), and will line up volunteers to register
voters at this year's Austin City Limits Music Festival and other upcoming
events. If you're not a deputy registrar (or aren't sure), get sworn in.
They also have lots of swag to give away from Yearly Kos!
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
The TCDP Calendar changes almost daily as we receive new information, so we
encourage you to check the calendar often. Go to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php
************************************
Friday, August 24, 2007
Texas Democratic Party Headquarters Grand Opening- Please refer to this
event earlier in this newsletter!
************************************
Saturday, August 25, 2007
TDP's State Democratic Executive Committee meeting-Please refer to this
event earlier in this newsletter!
Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages Meeting
TIME: Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 11:00am-1:00pm
PLACE: Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy (AKA 360)
CONTACT: Bill McAfee at bmcafee at austin.rr.com
Please join the Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages for their weekly meeting.
Austin Pride Build Fundraiser-Please see details about this event earlier in
this newsletter.
************************************
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Hays County Democratic Party's LBJ Birthday Celebration
TIME: Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 5:00pm - 8:00pm
PLACE: Creekside Pavilion (inside & air conditioned!) 18315 RR 1826, in
Driftwood
CONTACT: haysctydems at austin.rr.com or phone 512-847-0862
$25 per adult donation requested , children free
includes fajita dinner with ALL the trimmings
Margaritas, beer or wine
Dress: Democratically Casual
Celebrate President Johnson's Birthday & the Road to the White House.
Special Features:
Dr. Jim Rigby, pastor, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
Topic: "The Soul of Democracy"
Special presentation to Congressman Lloyd Doggett
Betty Lee Wright Award By WimDems
A salute to Lady Bird Johnson
Presidential "election"- vote for your favorite!
Music by Danny Britt & the Red Dawgs
Silent Auction with LOTS of goodies (bring your checkbooks!
Sponsorships Available:
$1,000, includes 8 tickets
$500 includes 4 tickets
$250 includes 2 tickets
Sponsorships must be in by Wed. Aug. 22 to be listed
All money raised goes to the Hays County Democratic Party
RSVP requested.
************************************
Monday, August 27, 2007
John Edwards' Austin One Corps Joins Dining for Darfur
TIME: Monday, August 27, 2007 at 6:30pm
PLACE: Opal Divine's, 700 W. 6th St.
CONTACT: Steve Garcia at austinonecorps at yahoo.com
As many of you know, Sen. Edwards has made the genocide in Darfur a critical
issue in his campaign. The brutality in Sudan started four years ago and is
now spreading into neighboring Chad and the Central African Republic.
The Senator spent time in the war zone getting a better understanding of the
crisis and has developed a clear plan that would lead to a peaceful
resolution.
Opal Divine's, the Austin One Corps' new meeting place, is participating in
this event sponsored by the Jewish Community Association of Austin. On this
evening, the participating restaurants will donate 5% of their sales to
relief in these war-torn nations. Additionally, this will present an
opportunity to hand out information on Sen. Edwards's plans to save Darfur.
Please join them for a meal that can make a difference!
************************************
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
2007 CADW Celebration of Champions
TIME: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 6:00pm-8:00pm
PLACE: Chez Zee Restaurant, 5406 Balcones Dr.
CONTACT: Megan Woodburn at cadw at cadw.org
You are invited to Capital Area Democratic Women's 2007 Celebration of
Champions. This year's honorees include, Perla Cavazos, Eva Lindsey, Carol
Miller, and Rosa Walker.
Sponsorship levels: $1000, $500, $250, $100
Individual tickets are $40, $30 for CADW members.
Northeast Travis County Democrats Meeting
TIME: Tuesday, August 28, 2007, 6:30pm Meet and Greet, 7:00pm Meeting
starts
PLACE: Travis County Community Center, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop,
Pflugerville (across FM 1825 from the Springhill Restaurant and behind the
Lamb's Auto)
CONTACT: Dave Taylor at 251-4645 or mrdave9735 at aol.com
You are invited to join Northeast Travis County Democrats for their monthly
meeting.
************************************
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
TCDP County Executive Committee Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 6:00pm-7:30pm
PLACE: Commissioners' Courtroom, Granger Building, 11th and Guadalupe
CONTACT: TCDP at 477-7500 or info at traviscountydemocrats.org
TCDP Chair Chris Elliott invites all Democrats to the Party's County
Executive Committee.
All meetings open to the public.
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IN THE NEWS
For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> www.traviscountydemocrats.org and
click on "Current News"
************************************************************************
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office
1311-B East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Web: <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> www.traviscountydemocrats.org
E-mail: info at traviscountydemocrats.org
Chris Elliott - Chair
chair at traviscountydemocrats.org
Elizabeth Yevich - Executive Director
elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.org
Garry Brown - Assistant Director
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ph (512) 477-7500 Fax (512) 477-7769
MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 684263
Austin, TX 78768-4263
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