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Happy New Year from the Burbank Democratic Club!
No, we didn't drop off the planet since the BLLOTY Awards, but we did all get caught up in our own lives for a while. Following the health care reform debates has been exhausting , disappointing and discouraging. But the club's executive board did have it's annual planning meeting and we are back!
Are you ready to get rolling? 2010 is going to be a busy year and we have lots to do--lots for you to do!
IT IS TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP. As a help, the board has decided to reduce the annual dues: now just $10 for Individuals and $15 for families. You can send us a check, pay at the next meeting or use our ACTBLUE page online. And if you would like to support the club beyond membership dues, please do so (also at ACTBLUE)—we need the help, going into an ambitious election year!
TOP GOAL THIS YEAR is to increase the club rolls from our current 58 members—up to 100! All other projects, goals and clout will naturally benefit from another leap in club size. A spike in our rolls will give us even more refreshed and talented members so as to boost the local party to its best and most progressive level of civic activity. To help get there, the board voted to lower membership dues to $10 for individuals and $15 for a family—and we are asking all current member to ask at least one person they know to join as well: pay dues online at ActBlue or at any meeting or by mail (from here.)
From the highs of Election Night 2008, many of us right now are pretty upset with our elected officials. The state situation is horridly log jammed and getting worse, and the disappointing U.S. Senate filibustering is driving a lot of folks to give up on the party—and we can't blame them. But it's the wrong thing to do: giving up means giving up the only power we have—grassroots activism and elections—and there is more chance of making a difference from the inside than the outside. And frankly, the state party itself has been changing from the inside, it just doesn't get much press.
Most of all: do we really want to just roll over and let the Republican reactionary, corporatist nay-sayers take over again or further add to gridlock?
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JAN 28 CLUB MEETING: Guest speaker on Identity Theft—and party time to gear up for 2010!
First meeting is January 28 at 7 p.m. at the Burbank Senior Artist's Colony Theatre, 240 W. Providencia at San Fernando (ADA accessible; parking on street). Current Deputy City  Attorney, former Special Assistant US Attorney and aspiring Judge Chris Garcia will be discussing his specialty, fighting identity theft. (more details here)
Bring a friend and potential member with you, or two--it will be party time with a mini-buffet and lots of beverages! Munch and imbibe as we get signed up for 2010 dues, and discuss the goals and plans for the year set up the Executive Board for an active year!
Are you rested up from 2008 yet? At this meeting we can discuss and sign up for our biggest voter reg effort yet, sharing info on the state props and races—and hear about our FIRST EVER local primary endorsement gearing up for the 43rd AD special election April 13 to succeed Paul Krekorian (see below). We also plan to endorse the unchallenged Dem candidates for the November 2010 election: Secretary of State Debra Bowen, State Controller John Chiang, State Treasurer Bill Lockyear and of course Sen. Babara Boxer, who will be running against the infamous Republican and corporate vampire, Carly Fiorini—if an even more radical GOP'er doesn't upset her. There's also our Burbank congressmen, Brad Sherman to the west and Adam Schiff to the east.
Be sure to come, bring a friend, let your voice be heard, and stay on top of what will be the Burbank Dems' fifth and most ambitious year yet!
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FEB. 25 CLUB MEETING: Club Elections and 43rd AD Endorsement--for starters...
Not too soon to look ahead, also meting at the Burbank Senior Artists Colony Theatre at 7 p.m.:
Withour own Paul Krekorian having won the District 2 seat on the Los Angeles City Council, his vacant 43rd Assembly post will now add to a busy election year. First there's a special election April 13, with a potential runoff on June 8 if no one gets a majority; then the real process beings with a regular primary, also on June 8, for the full term, decided Nov. 2. By the February club meeting, Chair Shanna Inglesbee and the Endorsement Committee will have finished its questionnaires and interviews among the 43rd Democratic hopefuls, and will make its recommendation before the club's possible endorsement vote. You don't want to miss sharing your opinion and your vote in this bit of club history.
As set forth in the By-Laws, February is also the annual vote for the club's four elected officers. All members paid up and in good standing are eligible to vote, so be sure to come and do so! Those announced so far will be reviewed in January, but remember: any club member who wants to share a special skill or serve as a committee chair, step right up and let us know. As you'll hear in January and again later, It's a busy year and there's plenty for everyone to jump in and help with.
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OTHER 2010 PLANS
There is also the new 2010 census and the election of members to the state-based redistricting committees that will actually re-draw the state's political maps for the U.S. House. (You can sign up here for those committees: http://www.redistrictingca.org/take-action/)
Then there's those statewide elections, of course, with a slew of propositions including legalizing and taxing marijuana. And of course the race for governor. (Will we have a Democratic candidate? We all expect Jerry Brown to run, but he hasn't said so yet.). And will depressed Dems let the GOP back in the henhouse to make things even worse? Like they were for most of this miserable decade?
The club will be doing as much Voter Registration as there are volunteers to help, and more targeted get-out-the-vote work closer into the November general. We'll have old events like the summer picnic with our campaigning pols and proposition reps, of course, and also a new recognition night in December so those working hard all year can get a little credit and our thanks.
Anything else? Sound off when you get a chance...
..and we'll see you Jan. 28 for the 2010 kick-off. Remember, it's foodstuff and drink... let's pack the hall and make 2010 on the comeback trail.
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