News from the Skagit County Democrats

Action Newsletter–20 July 2020

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. UPDATED – HEADS UP! – The ballots are out!
If you have not yet received your ballot, contact the Skagit County Auditor’s Office at 360-416-1702 or email scelections@co.skagit.wa.us. Click Here for their webpage. Ballots for the Primary are due Tuesday, Aug 4 by 8:00pm. The general election will be held Nov 3.

Ballot Drop-box Locations:

• Anacortes
  • Anacortes Public Library (behind library near drive-up book-drop), 1220 10th Street
• • Skyline Beach Club – 6041 Sands Way
• Burlington​
  • Burlington Parks and Recreation Building, 900 East Fairhaven Street
• Concrete​
  • Skagit Upriver Services/Library, 45770 A Main Street
• La Conner
  • La Conner Regional Library, 614 East Morris Street
• Mount Vernon
  • Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place, Mount Vernon​
• • Skagit County Auditors Office [Courthouse], 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201, Mount Vernon, (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd Street near Kincaid)​
• Sauk-Suiattle
  • Last Chance Casino & Bingo, 6020 Mountain Goat Way
• Sedro-Woolley
  • Sedro-Woolley Post Office, 111 Woodworth Street, Sedro-Woolley (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf)
• Swinomish
  • Social Services Building (in front), 17337 Reservation Road

2. NEW – Skagit County Democrats will host a phone bank on Tuesday, Jul 21 and Jul 28 from 4:00pn to 6:00pm
Contact Lynn Campbell at chair@skagitdemicrats.org for further details if you would like to participate.

3. NEW – Evergreen Future Town Hall: Environmental Justice hosted by Ingrid Anderson for State Senate, Helen Price Johnson for State Senate,Tuesday, Jul 21, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here to register.

4. League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island is hosting a virtual Candidate Forum for Legislative District 10 Representatives (Positions 1 & 2) and Senator, Tuesday, Jul 21, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, via Zoom
TO ATTEND: Zoom links will be posted on https://www.lwvwhidbey.org/two hours in advance of the forum event. For more information, email lwv.whidbey@gmail.com.

5. League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island is hosting a virtual Candidate Forum for Congressional District 2 Representative, Wednesday, Jul 22, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, via Zoom
TO ATTEND: Zoom links will be posted on https://www.lwvwhidbey.org/two hours in advance of the forum event. For more information, email lwv.whidbey@gmail.com.

6. NEW – Ryan Johnson’s 39th LD Happy Hour Zoom Meeting, Saturday, Jul 25, 8:00pm – Midnight, via Zoom
“All are welcome to attend. The last Happy Hour was so much fun, we are going to do it again. No need to get dressed up, no need for a babysitter, no need for a designated driver, come as you are, and we will have a good time.”

• Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81840633779?pwd=VGNIUDVNdU5leWo0TFhBbjFRWFFpUT09
• Meeting ID: 818 4063 3779
• Password: 724370
• One tap mobile – +12532158782,,81840633779#,,,,0#,,724370# US (Tacoma)

Ryan will also be delivering signs in Skagit County next weekend. He will be delivering them personally. Click Here to email him if you would like to receive one.

7. NEW – Skagit County Commissioner Candidate Forum sponsored by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, Jul 28, 5:30pm – 7:00pm via Zoom
Click Here to register. Questions will be developed by the Chamber and Downtown Association, and can be submitted during the forum.

8. NEW – Germaine Kornegay was appointed as a PUD Commissioner
“Skagit PUD Board of Commissioners unanimously selected Germaine Kornegay to fill the unexpired six-year term of its Commissioner District No. 3 position during a special meeting held Thursday night (Jul 16).” Click Here to see more.

9. NEW – Any Tech Questions?
Any Tech Questions? is a weekly Zoom meeting hosted by the Skagit County Democrats to assist anyone in the community with technical questions about the use of Google Apps and Zoom. It also includes some other topics specific to the Democrats’ mission to nurture democratic values in our elected officials. The sessions are scheduled for every Wednesday at 5:00pm. The Zoom link is available by emailing Tech@SkagitDemocrats.org.

To learn more about how to use our Google Drive, Click Here.

10. NEW – Young Democrats Held Sign Waving Event for 10th LD Candidates in Mount Vernon
On Saturday, the Young Democrats of Skagit County had their first sign waving event for the Democratic candidates in the 10th Legislative District in Mount Vernon. The event was attended by over 25 people of all ages including a few of the candidates and their staffers. The Young Democrats are hoping to host more Get Out the Vote sign waving events between now and the primary election, so be on the lookout for more of those in upcoming weekends and email bmasseyhelber@gmail.comfor more details.

11. NEW – Links to League of Women Voters recorded Candidates forums

• Candidates for the Superior Court Judge Position 3
• Candidates for Public Utility District Commissioner
• Candidates for County Commissioner District 1 & 2
• Candidates for US Congressional District #1
• Candidates for US Congressional District #2

12. NEW – Ballot Questions? – Call 206-309-VOTE (8683)
This is our WA Dems voter hotline number for the primary. If there’s anything wrong with your ballot, if you have any questions, if you need to figure out a way to vote, use this number.

13. Coronavirus Face Mask Fundraiser
For a donation of $20 you will receive a hand-made face mask especially designed by an engineer/industrial designer at the request of the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Mission Hospital in California. The masks provide full coverage and are comfortable. Click Here or Here to see examples of the masks. If you would like to donate, Click Here. Under purpose on the donation, please indicate “Mask” and indicate which fabric you would like: #1 first on the left, #2 the middle, #3 on the right (for example: “Mask #3”).

14. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 300A South First Street, Mount Vernon, will be staffed from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
It will not be open to the public. Staff will be able to hand out campaign signs without admitting entry. We ask that masks be worn at all times when ordering from the door and during pick up. Call ahead to the HQ phone (360-336-1555) and staff will pick them and have ready at the door.

You may also email staff@skagitdemocrats.org after hours and the message will be relayed to the volunteers staffing the HQ. Some pick ups can be arranged outside of open hours. Just call or email to inquire. Most campaign signs are free. Biden signs will be available as soon as possible. Cost TBD.

15. National 2020 Caucus/Primary and Debate Schedule

• August 4 – Washington State Primary
• August 11 – Connecticut (rescheduled)
• August 17 – 20 – 2020 Democratic National Convention, Milwaukee (and on-line)
• August 24-27 – 2020 Republican National Convention, Charlotte, NC (and on-line?)
• September 29 – First presidential debate, South Bend, IN
• October 7 – Vice presidential debate, Salt Lake City, UT
• October 15 – Second presidential debate, Ann Arbor, MI
• October 22 – Third presidential debate, Nashville, TN
• November 3 – Presidential election

16. NEW – Links of the Week
The Link of the Week provides in-depth pieces the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

• What Happens After a ‘Million-Mile Battery’ Outlasts the Car?
• More than 1 in 5 Seattle students are enrolled in private schools, among highest in nation
• The Racial Disparity in Unemployment Benefits
• Should Banks Be Forced to Price In Climate Change?

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Sedro-Woolley Against Racism Movement (SWARM) Rally, Saturday, Jul 25, 1:00pm, Sedro-Woolley Gazebo, corner of Metcalf and Ferry Streets
“Peaceful, teen-led rally will be held at the Sedro-Woolley gazebo on Ferry Street next to Domino’s. . . We welcome all people to help fight back against racism, prejudice, & discrimination – masks & social distancing are highly encouraged.”

2. NEW – Skagit County Small Business Grant Program
Skagit County has set aside $1 million in grant funds to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grants may be up to $25,000 depending on number of employees. Applications will be accepted from Jul 13 through 5:00pm, Jul 26. The program is intended for businesses located in Skagit County with 25 or fewer employees. This program is administered by EDASC on behalf of Skagit County. Click Here for more information and application forms.

3. NEW – Strawberry Shortcake Parade 2020,Friday, Jul 31 – Aug 2 has been cancelled

4. NEW – No More Bombs will host a local remembrance of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan on Aug 6 from 7:00pm – 8:00pm via Zoom – links for the both the local and national programs will be forthcoming
This Aug 6 and 9 is the 75th anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Tracy Powell and Bud Anderson will speak. We will show one local and one international short video and end with a live discussion with Amanda Hubik moderating.

5. NEW – The Annual Mount Vernon Sidewalk Sale originally scheduled for Jul 25 has been canceled

6. Drive-through COVID-19 testing is now open 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, at the east parking lot of Skagit Valley College
Online registration is no longer required. No appointments are needed. Spanish speaking interpreters on site to assist with registration and testing. Skagit County Public Health will test anyone seven years of age or older that feels they should be tested, and is encouraging anyone who fits into the following guidelines to get tested:

• Those who are essential workers
• Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms
• Anyone whose physician recommended they be tested
• Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting
• Pregnant women
• Anyone who is a close contact or has a known exposure to COVID-19

Click Here for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Listen to We Do the Work, Tuesdays, 5:00pm, and Sundays, 5:30pm at KSVR, 91.7 FM or KSVU, 90.1 FM
A weekly local worker radio program that features news, interviews, music, and comments, “We Do the Work” believes American workers are at the heart of our economy and culture, deserving dignity, respect, and a decent family wage. To hear our other shows, go to We Do The Work Archives. Questions about interviews? Email – ksvrwedothework@gmail.com.

NEW – We Do The Work’s program for Tuesday, Jul 21, 5:00pm and Sunday, Jul 26, 5:30 Angelica Guillen, Farm Worker, Educator, Activist, and Poet, Part 1
Interview: Angelica describes her life growing up in a migrant camp as well as reading some of her wonderful poetry.

We Do The Works Comment: The new ‘Gig’ economy leaves workers on their ‘Own.’
#LaborRadioPod

2. Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! Radio
Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! – a half hour weekly radio show committed to community, peace, justice, and non-violence issues. The show airs on Community Radio stations (times subject to change) – KSVR 91.7 FM (Skagit Valley College), Wednesdays 5:00pm, rebroadcast Sundays 8:00pm; KSVU 90.1 FM, Hamilton, Sundays 8:00pm and Thursdays 8:00am; KMRE102.3 FM, Bellingham, Sundays 11:00am and Wednesdays 7:30am. Our shows are available online. Stream or download a show at http://speakupspeakoutradio.org/ anytime.

SUSO has been finding past shows that seem appropriate for current airing. We HOPE soon to have a system setup to virtually record new shows. Stay tuned … meanwhile, check out our archives.

3. UPDATED – Coffee ‘n Cards
Coffee ‘n Cards is temporarily “Coffee – no cards” via Zoom from 10:00am – 10:30am on Monday morning. Contact Carol Sullivan by email (carolosully@yahoo.com) for invitation that will include Meeting ID and Password. There is no screen sharing, participants enter thru waiting room (muted), the and meeting is locked when all are in attendance. 2020 card total: 3,116; Grand total: 11,272.

Since we quit meeting in person, Coffee ‘n Cards has sent 1,400 cards in support of Dave Paul and Helen Price Johnson. Cards on other issues and candidates are also included in the totals.

4. Anacortes Weekly Demonstrations
Do you have a cause or a candidate that you are passionate about? If yes, join us at the “protest corner” in Anacortes, 12th Street and Commercial Avenue (the Safeway Corner) EVERY Sunday from 12:00pm – 1:00pm – wet or sunny, hot or cold, all year around. Bring your own signs or use one of our extras.