[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, June 15 - Friday, June 22, 2007
Travis County Democratic Party Weekly Newsletter
tcdp_newsletter at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org
Thu Jun 14 16:42:22 CDT 2007
Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter
Friday, June 15 - Friday, June 22, 2007
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IN THIS ISSUE
- Message from TCDP Chair, Chris Elliott
- Term-Appointed Election Judges Needed By July 13th!
- TCDP Finance Council and Sustaining Members
- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member
- You Have the Power!
- Bid on a School Room Playhouse
- Save the Date! National Night Out, August 7, 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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MESSAGE FROM TCDP CHAIR, CHRIS ELLIOTT
Dear Fellow Democrats:
I hope many of you were able to make it to Scholz's on Tuesday to former Senator John Edwards' event. I say this not because I am endorsing Edwards in the presidential race. I have not decided whom I am supporting at this juncture. My point is that Edwards came to Austin and held a low dollar, come-one-come-all event that was accessible to anyone. I like that approach. It comes on the heels of Senator Barack Obama's big rally at Auditorium Shores a few months ago which drew several thousand people. It is this type of event, I believe, that gives you a sense of the true character of candidates.
So much of what we hear and see about candidates these days is filtered through television. Candidates seem to speak in soundbites as they know that only so much will make it onto the evening news or CNN. You can only learn so much about a candidate by watching them on television. I was disappointed when I was unable to make Obama's event earlier this year, but luckily I was able to attend Edwards' event at Scholz's. There was an intimacy to the event that made everyone there feel like the candidate was speaking directly to them. For those in the audience that were old enough to remember how politicians used to campaign, before the days of non-stop cable television news coverage, it must have reminded them of the era when candidates spoke on the courthouse steps to gatherings of town folk. Sometimes I think people learned more about the candidates in those days. They got up close and shook hands with the person that was asking for their vote and looked him or her (mostly hims back then) in the eye.
I sincerely hope that we have more opportunities to see our presidential candidates up close and personal, like the event at Scholz's on Tuesday. For a political junkie like me, it was good for the soul.
Democratically yours,
Chris Elliott
Chair, Travis County Democratic Party
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TERM APPOINTED ELECTION JUDGES NEEDED BY JULY 13th
Elections are the backbone of democracy, and making sure that polling locations run correctly and smoothly is often a difficult job to undertake. You have the opportunity to run your polling location by becoming an election judge a.k.a. presiding judge.
Currently, the TCDP is looking for Democratic term-appointed presiding judges. The term has recently been changed by Travis County Elections and will be a one year rather than two year term running from August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008.
Please review the following requirements for a term appointment:
1.. 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 includes the party primary, 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.
2.. Even though some of these elections are partisan, such as the party primary, it is imperative that you work cordially with your Republican counterpart.
3.. As a presiding judge, it will be one of your duties to be able to physically set up the voting machines. They are bulky and may be somewhat heavy for some folks to handle. However, your alternate judge and clerk(s) can and should help you to set these up.
4.. The integrity of the election process is of the utmost importance, so you must be reliable and dependable in making sure you have everything for your polling location; that everything is ready to go and is operational by 7:00am when the polls open; and when your polling location closes, that you return all materials to your designated receiving station in a timely manner before you go home or attend any Party function or event (e.g. precinct conventions).
5.. Travis County Elections requires attendance for training, regardless if you have been trained in the past.
6.. 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.
We are in need of Election Judges in the following precincts:
106 107 110 111 112 113 123 132 136 137 139 140 141 145 150 151 152 153 154 156 161 163 164
200 201 202 203 204 205 206 208 209 210 211 215 216 218 219 220 223 225 226 227 228 229 231 232 235 237 240 241 242 243 246 247 251 253 254 256 260 262 263 267 268 274 275 277 279
301 302 303 304 306 307 309 312 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 323 327 328 329 330 331 333 334 336 337 338 339 342 343 345 346 347 349 350 351 355 356 359 360 365 366 367 370 371 373 375 376 377 378 379
402 403 404 405 407 411 412 413 414 420 422 423 426 427 429 430 431 442 443 444 445 447 448 449 450 451 452 455 458 460 461 462 463 465 466
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE STILL NEED MANY MORE FOLKS
TO RUN POLLING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT TRAVIS COUNTY.
To find out what precinct that you live in:
1.. Go to www.traviscountydemocrats.org.
2.. On the menu on the right side of the home page, click on "Precinct Info."
3.. Click on the second choice, "what precinct you live in."
4.. In the "precinct search" box, you can put in your zip code, street name, or anything else that is suggested under that.
5.. Click "Go." Find your street and street number.
Please contact Garry Brown, TCDP's Assistant Director, at 477-7500 or garry at traviscountydemocrats.org to inquire about being appointed as an election judge for one year.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED SO FAR!!!
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TCDP FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Member Updates for the period June 8 - June 14
New Sustaining Member
Gary Cobb
Member Renewal
Cathleen McGrath
For a full list of member names, please visit the home page of our website and choose from the blue menu on the left hand side of the page.
If you feel your name should be on the web list yet do not see it, give us a ring! 477-7500
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BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!
Our Coordinated Campaigns have helped to accomplish the following:
2004 - Travis County took back three elected seats from the Republicans. State Representative District 50, a district judgeship, and County Constable Precinct 3 all went from Republican held seats to Democratic.
2006 - The Travis County legislative delegation became completely Democratic for the first time since 1992, and we took back the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 from the Republicans.
There are now only three Republicans elected to Travis County offices!
The TCDP has stepped up to make Travis County even more Democratic!
If you believe our work is valuable and you want us to continue, we ask you to stand with us 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 year-round!
As Blair Dancy, president of Texas Environmental Democrats of Austin, says, "All politics are grassroots, but they all need organization. Austin and Travis County lead the state by example, and our success all comes back to the great people at TCDP. For the price of my family's monthly pizza binges, I'm part of the Finance Council and able to help keep the Democratic Party strong here in Austin. Every financially-able Democrat should consider contributing to keep it this way."
To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to: 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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YOU HAVE THE POWER!!
As Howard Dean said, you, YES YOU, have the power. You have the power to have an impact at the state capitol and on national politics! Take a look at this information:
- In 2006, Travis County provided for one-third of the Democratic increase in the State House of Representatives this session by electing a 100% Democratic legislative delegation for the first time since 1992.
- It's no secret that Travis County is depended upon by statewide candidates to put them in a position to win because Travis County is so heavily Democratic.
- One-term Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn continues to be unpopular. He consistently polls way under 50% in Texas. He has been called the "least popular U.S. Senator" in the group of Republican Senators who are up for re-election in 2008.
- Two parts of Travis County are still represented by Republican Congressmen.
Get involved now and you can help make the following happen:
- Keep all of our Democratic state reps in office while other parts of the state elect more Democrats
- Put our candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in a position to win to continue changing the politics in Washington DC!
- There are only three Republican county office holders left! Two of them are up for re-election in 2008.
The strongest impact you can make is by becoming a Precinct Chair! We only have 45 vacancies left out of 210 precinct chair positions! The Travis County GOP has 32 vacancies! Are Democrats in Travis County going to let the Republicans have more precinct chairs than us? But then again, they don't have to do much do they?
Make your voice heard in how your county party is run! All Democratic Precinct Chairs in Travis County automatically become members of the County Executive Committee, which is the governing body for Travis County Democratic Party. In addition, you'll receive all the support you need to turn out the Democrats to vote in your neighborhood. There is so much to do to get ready for 2008. The excitement is building. Come be a part of it!
Interested? Want to learn more? Contact Garry Brown at TCDP at garry at traviscountydemocrats.org.
Below is a list of precincts where we have vacancies. The precinct numbers are divided by legislative district.
If your State House Representative is Dawnna Dukes, District 46
Precincts: 122 129 132 139 141 150 164
If your State House Representative is Valinda Bolton, District 47
Precincts: 301 316 351 356 412 451
If your State House Representative is Donna Howard, District 48
Precincts: 267 279 370 371 373 376 378
If your State House Representative is Elliott Naishtat, District 49
Precincts: 137 149 444 454
If your State House Representative is Mark Strama, District 50
Precincts: 107 203 205 211 215 216 254 328 333 334 336
If your State House Representative is Eddie Rodriguez, District 51
Precincts: 123 401 402 404 405 407 427 441 443 452
To find out what precinct that you live in:
1.. Go to www.traviscountydemocrats.org.
2.. On the menu on the right side of the home page, click on "Precinct
Info."
3.. Click on the second choice, "what precinct you live in."
4.. In the "precinct search" box, you can put in your zip code, street name, or anything else that is suggested under that.
5.. Click "Go." Find your street and street number.
AFTER FINDING OUT WHAT PRECINCT YOU LIVE IN, CHECK THE LIST ABOVE TO SEE IF A PRECINCT CHAIR IS NEEDED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
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BID ON A SCHOOL ROOM PLAYHOUSE
A great gift for a child care center or the kids' backyard. School house playhouse includes bell tower. Construction exceeds commercial playhouses, using wood framing, insulation, and a shingle roof. Playhouse is 8 feet by 4 feet and has finished interior and windows.
It was built by the Lake Travis Democrats as a float with the central theme for the 2006 Lakeway 4th of July parade. Proceeds from the sale of the playhouse will be used for upcoming Democratic events.
Bidding starts at $600 dollars.
For information contact Ed Benjamin at 512-731-5162 or eben731 at juno.com. The Lake Travis Democrats will deliver it and set-up locally.
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SAVE THE DATE! NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, AUGUST 7, 2007
Neighborhoods throughout Austin are invited to join with thousands of communities nationwide on Aug. 7, to participate in the 24th Annual 'National Night Out'. APD officers, EMS and fire fighters will join City Council Members and other city officials in attending neighborhood parties throughout Austin. Events are planned to promote crime prevention and drug prevention awareness and to strengthen the police - community partnership. On Aug. 7 - a Tuesday -- from 6pm to 9pm, residents are asked to turn on their porch lights, lock their doors and spend the evening outside with their neighbors, police officers, EMS, and fire fighters.
To officially participate in National Night Out events you must complete the National Night Out Application and mail it to: Austin Police Department, Community Liaison Office, P.O. Box 689001, Austin, Texas 78768-9001. You may also fax the application to 974-6222.
For more information, contact Rosie Salinas at the Community Liaison Office at 974-4900 or by e-mail at nno at ci.austin.tx.us.
Applications are available at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/downloads/07app.pdf
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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
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Saturday, June 16, 2007
Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages Meeting
TIME: Saturday, June 16, 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.
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Monday, June 18, 2007
North by Northwest Democrats
TIME: Monday, June 18, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE: Texpresso, 2700 W. Anderson Ln., in the Village Shopping Center
CONTACT: Jan Soifer 657-0556 or jan at lssfirm.com
Please join North by Northwest Democrats for their monthly meeting.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Latinos for Texas Meeting
TIME: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 7:00pm
PLACE: Kerbey Lane Café, 2606 Guadalupe
CONTACT: Sabas Avila at sabas at latinosfortexas.com
Please join Latinos for Texas at their monthly meeting.
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Central Austin Democrats Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 6:15pm
PLACE: New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe St # 100
CONTACT: Glen Coleman at 327-1066 or glenofaustin at yahoo.com
Please join Central Austin Democrats for their monthly meeting.
Keep Austin Blue Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 6:30pm socialize, 7:15pm meeting
PLACE: Mother Egan's Irish Pub, 715 W. 6th St.
CONTACT: Sharron Hargis at sharron at keepaustinblue.org
Please join Keep Austin Blue for their monthly meeting.
Southwest Austin Democrats Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 6:30pm Social, 6:45pm Program
PLACE: Hampton Public Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.
CONTACT: Albert Gonzales at 280-4900 or email4agg at yahoo.com
You are invited to attend this month's Southwest Austin Democrats meeting.
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Thursday, June 21, 2007
Black Austin Democrats Meeting
TIME: Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE: Judge Richard Scott's office, 1811 Springdale Rd. #110
CONTACT: Richard Franklin at richardf3rd at yahoo.com
You are invited to join the Black Austin Democrats for their monthly meeting.
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Friday, June 22, 2007
Fundraiser Luncheon with Elizabeth Edwards
TIME: Friday, June 22, 2007 at 12:00pm-1:30pm
PLACE: Home of Liz & Kirk Watson, 2301 Woodlawn Boulevard
CONTACT: Susan Harry at 542-9744 or sharry at johnedwards.com
You are invited to have lunch fundraiser with Elizabeth Edwards.
Sponsorships available: Hosts $2300, Sponsors $1000, Tickets $250
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IN THE NEWS
For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at www.traviscountydemocrats.org and click on "Current News"
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CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office
1311-B East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Web: 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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P.O. Box 684263, Austin, TX 78768-4263
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