Democratic Party of Milton Townhip
Monthly Meeting
August 22, 2019
Meeting Called to Order at 7:30 pm by Chair, Jessica Hierbaum at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center.
Officers Present: Jessica Hierbaum, Chair; Dennis Terdy, Operations Officer; James Respond, Treasurer; Elizabeth Hooper Outreach Officer; and Nancy Hopkins, Secretary.
Quote: Jessica read the following quote, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance” –Robert Kennedy, 1966.
Introduction of Guests and Candidates: Tara Costa Howard, State Rep Jennifer Ladisch-Douglass, Candidate DuPage County Recorder; Tina Tyson-Dunn & Jeff Gahris, Forest Preserve District 4 candidates; two candidates for State Rep in District 42, Judi Lucas RN, and Ken Mejia-Beal; Peggy O’Connell, Candidate for Circuit Court Judge; Elizabeth Hooper& Bruce Fogerty for County Auditor. For County Board 6, Greg Schwarze. Also for County Board District 4: Hadiya Afzal, Lynn La Plante, John Jacobs and Hailey Nicewanner; and Moon Kahn For Circuit Court Clerk, and Bob Hazard for College of DuPage Trustee.
Approval of the July, 2019 Minutes: Elizabeth Hooper moved and James Respond seconded the motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approved them. The Minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report: James Respond, Treasurer, presented the report announcing the Year to Date bank balance was $3,600,. (See the Treasurer’s report for details). Current membership is 85 persons vs goal of 100 members.
Outreach Announcements: Elizabeth Hooper: The DuPage Dems annual golf outing with dinner will be Friday 9/13.
New Business:
Operations Updates: Dennis Terdy: The PC Forum will be held Saturday September 7th, at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center starting at 10:30 to kick off Petition Season. It’s very important to attend as the Do’s and Don’ts of collecting petitions will be highlighted and there will be a chance to meet the candidates. Marion Tomlinson is updating list of candidates and the accomplishments of our elected officials. Please identify potential Election Judges.
Program Speakers: Sean Casten, US Congressman, Illinois District 6
Topic: The First 100 Days
The Congressman spoke to an overflowing crowd. He first thanked the more than 3000 volunteers who helped him flip the seat and obtain, “The coolest job I’ve ever had”. He introduced his campaign manager, Chloe. He listed the many good bills that the House has passed but are not often in the news. Examples are the full budget bill, Equality Act HR 9, HR8 mandating universal background checks for gun purchases, and defending the ACA in Texas Courts. He asked us to read the Mueller Report footnote on Page 159 if we have doubts that the President has committed jail-able offences. Re: the many presidential candidates: it’s good that there is a political conversation because democracy is about the consent of the governed. Democracy is not a corporation where one person makes the final decisions. When asked by a child “What is the biggest challenge in our community?” he stated that we cheapen the idea of political service if we believe that candidates are only out for themselves. However, once politicians are in office, we must hold them accountable.
The Next Milton Democrats Party Meeting: Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 7:30 PM at the Glen Ellyn Historical Society—on Main Street and St Charles in Glen Ellyn. . The talk will be on Criminal Justice Reform. Pass the hat $202.00
Adjournment: Elizabeth Hooper moved to adjourn, seconded by Jeff Gahris. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Submitted by Nancy Hopkins, Secretary