Democratic Party of Milton Townhip
Monthly Meeting
Thursday November 19, 2020
Meeting Called to Order at 7:00 pm by Jessica Hierbaum, Chair.
We convened as a Zoom meeting due to the Covid-19.
Other Officers on the call: James Respond, Treasurer; Dennis Terdy, Operations Officer, Gary Tomlinson and Marian Tomlinson, Larry Pitts, and Nancy Hopkins, Secretary.
Welcome: Jessica opened the meeting as a celebration of the November 3rd election by congratulating all the Democratic Party candidates who won as well as thanking those who those who did not for their very important efforts.
As an example that every vote matters: Jeff Gahris won by 700 votes or only 4 votes per precinct; Lynn LaPlante won by 2 votes per precinct and Bill white won by only 75 total votes! Additional reasons to celebrate: DuPage County went for Joe Biden by 58%; Milton Township somewhat less at 51%. Also, Sean Casten won his race against Jeanie Ives 53% to 45%. In DuPage County: Democrats won 11 out of 18 county races. It’s the first time since 1934 that Democrats hold a majority of seats on the County Board!
Approval of Minutes: October Minutes were approved by acclamation without reading. They are available on the DPMT website.
Treasurer’s Report: James Respond, Treasurer
While the Covid-19 crises caused a deferral of a fundraiser, there have been savings on rental fees for a monthly meeting room. The October report is available on the Milton Township website. Currently there are 83 paid members with a goal of 87.
Memberships are $25 per year or $45 for two years: www.democratsofmilton.com/donate
NEW Business:
Operations Updates; Dennis Terdy, Operations Officer
Municipal Elections
Dennis began by thanking all the candidates and assuring that “We are here to support all candidates without drama”. The leadership team is open to comments and new ideas.
The municipalities in Milton Township and Milton Township itself need good candidates to run on the Democratic tickets. The deadline for registering to run is December 1, 2020 at 6:00pm. The April Municipal and township elections have a typical voter turnout of only 15 or 20 percent. Traditionally, all the DuPage County Townships, including Milton, are all run by Republicans. If you know someone who is interested in running for a seat on the Milton Township Board, Dennis will send out an information sheet.
Mental Health Referendum-Larry Pitts explained that to get the 708 Mental Health Board initiative on the April 6, 2021 ballot 150 signatures are needed. The plan is to request signatures at the College Train station in Wheaton from 11:30 to 1:30 on Saturday. Individuals may also request a petition to be brought to their door.
Program: A Virtual Celebration of the election
Jessica led the discussion by asking, “What pictures pop into your head from the campaign, election day or since.” Numerous people responded, including Jill Otte, Larry Pitts, Azam Nizamuddin, Ken Meijia-Beal, Marian Tomlinson, Tara Costa Howard, Lynn LaPlante, Margaret O’Connell, Bill White, Erica Brae-Parker, Candace Adams, Greg Schwarze, and Bonnie Gahris (for husband Jeff),
Common themes were: thanks to Milton Township PCs for being “the most organized, drama free, get-the-job-done group.” Many noted the enthusiasm for Democratic candidates as shown by many yard signs, people waiting at the train station to sign petitions, home owners thanking PC’s for bringing literature, and the high number of Democrats offering to be election judges; all resulting in the thousands of mail-in ballots. Jean Kaczmarek was thanked for excellent planning and execution of the election process during the Covid-19 pandemic.
First time candidates said how humbling it was to ask for money and signatures and how gratifying it was to find encouragement and support from so many. Ken Meijia-Beal said he definitely plans to run again.
Other New Business—
There was a call out for candidates for the School Boards, especially District 87 and the College of DuPage Board. Concern is high that far right groups, including an anti-transgender group, have strategically targeted school boards.
Adjournment: Larry Pitts moved and Don Westlake seconded the motion to adjourn.
Next meeting: Since there is no meeting in December, the next meeting of the Democratic Party of Milton Township: Thursday, January 28 at 7:30pm. The format and Zoom link will be provided in the DPMT Newsletter.
Submitted by Nancy Hopkins, Secretary