News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for December 14, 2020

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – #StandwithSpokaneDems
From the Washington State Democrats website: “On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, a man entered the Spokane County Democrats HQ in an attempt to bomb the building. He approached one of our volunteers with something he claimed was a “manifesto,” but they were able to evacuate before he caused any harm to our volunteers.

In the aftermath of this destruction of the Spokane Democrats HQ, we are working to support our Spokane Dems family as the details of this horrific event continue to unfold.

Thankfully, no one from our organization was hurt in the attack. However, the offices used to house the Spokane Dems will likely be a total loss. If you would like to send direct support to the Spokane Democrats as they work to rebuild, we’ve created a dedicated donation page where we will route the funds raised to them to offset expenses associated with recovering from this attack.

If you would like to send a supportive message directly to the Spokane Dems, you can leave a comment expressing your sympathies on their Facebook page here.”

2. The Skagit County Democrats Essay Contest CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (Dec 14)
The contest theme is “Why is it necessary for white people to talk about race?”. It is open to all High School students at all public and private high schools in Skagit County. Winners will be announced via the Skagit County Democrats website on Jan 19, 2021. Award presentation will be held on a date to be announced in Jan or Feb 2021. The essay committee has the following membership: Shirley Viscalla, Pat Edwards, Twila Colley, William Johnson, and Bob Doll. For information about the essay contest, contact Bob Doll at robertjdoll@yahoo.com.

3. The 10th Legislative Democrats Reorganization Meeting is Saturday, Dec 19, 10:30am, via Zoom
 This meeting requires advance registration. Click Here to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. “Only Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) elected during the primary election on August 3rd are allowed to vote for the chair, vice chair, state committee members and any representatives the LPO is authorized to send to other Party organizations. They are also the only people eligible to vote on the adoption or amendment of LPO bylaws. Be aware that PCOs voting on the above matters at reorganization are voting as elected representatives of their precincts. Accordingly, voting procedures must comply with Charter Article VII.G.2: When a person votes as an elected representative, open ballots shall be used.” Click Here for more information.

4. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 300A South First Street, Mount Vernon, will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC for the time being effective immediately
As the pandemic continues to worsen, locally as well as nationally, Skagit County Democrats is committed to keeping all of our volunteers, members, and the public safe. Locally, we are at the highest peak ever with 758 COVID-19 cases reported in November and numbers continuing to grow. In compliance with Governor Inslee’s mandate, we are closing our Headquarters Office to the public. That does not mean we are folding up the tent. We continue the work of the party. Please help us during this time.

• Please pay for membership on our website (Click Here) or you can mail your checks to our Post Office Box – Skagit County Democrats, PO Box 761, Mount Vernon, WA 98273-0761.
• Staff will continue to check voicemails and emails. They will get back to you and will continue to perform the essential work.
• Memorabilia will continue to be sold on-line through our website or you can write to staff@skagitdemocrats.org to make arrangements if you want to purchase memorabilia. Click Here for sample pictures.
• Please take any food donations you wish to contribute directly to the foodbank.

5. UPDATED – Virtual Democratic Women on the Rocks has been SUSPENDED for the time being

6. The Skagit County Democrats Reorganization Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Jan 9, 2021, 10:00am
Connection instructions will be forthcoming. Any paid member of Skagit County Democrats may run for an Executive Board position, although only elected Precinct Committee Officers may vote in those elections. Anyone interested in helping organize that meeting may contact Chair Lynn Campbell at chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

7. The 39th Legislative District Democrats Reorganization Meeting is Sunday, Jan 3, 2021, 10:30am via Zoom
Click Here to register for this meeting.

8. UPDATED – 40th Legislative District Democrats reorganization meeting, Sunday, Jan 10, 1:00pm, sign-in starts at 11:30am, via Zoom
“All positions are open. The Skagit Vice Chair, San Juan Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer are all re-running again. The Chair and Whatcom Vice Chair are not running again and both the State Committee members haven’t decided, yet. The Vice Chairs are elected by PCOs who reside in each of the 3 Counties (for example: Skagit Vice Chair is elected by PCOs who reside in Skagit County).

We are now forming the rules and agenda and when they are finalized, we will send out to the PCOs, members, and interested candidates.
We are encouraging all candidates to let the Chair, Trevor Smith (steelshanks@yahoo.com), or Skagit Vice Chair, Janet McKinney (cedarwaxwings@gmail.com), know if you are running at least 3 days before the meeting (January 7) – the more we know who is running, the better we can organize the meeting. Please let us know as soon as you can. If candidates cannot attend the reorganization meeting, they are required to let the chair know in writing (email is acceptable) at least one day before the meeting or by January 9. Also, the candidate needs to let us know who is nominating and speaking for you. If a person is nominated from the floor and has not notified the chair by Saturday, January 9, that they will accept the nomination and/or election, that person will be disqualified from accepting any position.

If you are interested in becoming a member, go to the 40th Website and click on AB (ActBlue) – https://40thdems.org/. You are not required to be a member to run.

9. Skagit Democrats Fundraisers

• Political Collectibles for Purchase: These are the first of the political collectibles being offered for purchase. If you are interested in a listed item (or what else is available), please email staff (staff@skagitdemocrats.org); note the item of interest and include a phone number. Staff will contact you with information needed to proceed with the purchase (pay online or pay by cash or check at Headquarters at time of pick up by arrangement at the door). This is a fun project for staff. Provenance connected with some of the items has been very educational. Click Here for sample pictures. And as a matter of general interest, we wanted to share recent information about the memorabilia collection.
  • A Carl Maxey button was sent to Spokane Democrats. Carl was a prominent black attorney very active in the early civil rights movement. He ran against Henry M. Jackson as the anti-war candidate. His family still practices law in Spokane. Token value $20.
  • The Wing Luke museum in Seattle is researching our “Luke” button. He was the 1st Asian American to hold elected office in Washington. He served as Washington’s Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division.
  • One of our own has left us with a “Class Struggle” game. It came to us from the estate of Jerry Sommerseth. The game itself in perfect condition from 1978 can sell for upwards of $290. Ours is in fair condition, a 1978 edition and only a few pieces are missing. The game does sell in various venues online….we are going to ask $100.
  • The Kennedy pieces are up next for look ups, pricing and pictures. It is rewarding to see these historical pieces find their way back to their communities across the state.
  • Thank you for looking and considering a purchase of Democratic history to support Skagit Democrats.
• 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”).
  • New Face Masks! Christmas Special – Usually the masks are $20 but we are offering a Christmas special of $15.
• Greeting Card Fundraiser: Social distancing and staying safe makes it difficult for us to get out and look for cards to mark special occasions or just say hello. For a donation of $15.00 you will receive a box of 6 – 8 beautiful hand-made greeting cards. These are one-of-a-kind cards so no two boxes are the same and aren’t made to order. Let us choose your lovely card set. Pictured on the web site (Click Here or Here) are samples of the kinds of cards you will receive. If you would like to donate, Click Here. Under purpose on the donation, please indicate “Cards” and the number of boxes you want.

Thank you for your continued support of the Skagit Democrats.

10. Now your phone can help stop the spread of COVID-19!
The following was taken from a “Fantastic Friday!” notice from 40th Legislative District Representative Debra Lekanoff
“The state of Washington recently unveiled a new statewide COVID-19 exposure tool for iPhone and Android users called WA Notify. The tool is free to use, anonymous, and protects your privacy. It works by alerting you whenever you are around another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. BUT—you have to take a few manual steps to turn on the notification system on your phone.  

Were you one of the 700,000 Washingtonians to activate WA Notify in the first 24 hours it was available? If so, THANK YOU! If not, join today as another tool to help stop the spread and protect yourself and your community. It’s a small step, but one that will play a big role along with mask wearing, handwashing, and staying home as much as possible.”

11. 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.

• A Political Obituary for Donald Trump The effects of his reign will linger. But democracy survived.
• In 2020 Disinformation Broke the U.S.
• Want to Rebuild Public Trust? Focus on Civic Education
• How John Adams Managed a Peaceful Transition of Presidential Power

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Anacortes Community Light Show
“Hop, skip, or jump into your car and take a drive through town for the Anacortes Community Light Show! Crank up the holiday music and enjoy the magic of decorations and light displays provided by your local businesses and organizations! Vote for your favorite display December 11-18th!” Click Here for a viewing map.

2. Sedro-Woolley accepting applications to fill and At-Large City Council seat
“The Council of the City of Sedro-Woolley is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving in the At Large Position on the City Council. Applicants must have resided in the city for a minimum of one year, currently reside within City limits and be registered to vote within the City limits. The appointment would begin upon selection and continue through certification of the next scheduled City election in November 2021. Individuals should submit their application on or before 4:30 p.m. on December 18, 2020 to the Deputy City Clerk, 325 Metcalf Street, Sedro-Woolley WA 98284. Application available here.”

3. Drive-through COVID-19 testing is Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00am TO 4:00pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00pm – 7:00pm, Skagit County Fairgrounds, South Gate Entrance, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon
Use of the Drive-Thru testing site will be limited to those who live in or work in Skagit County. Those who do not live in or work in Skagit County should seek testing in their own communities or through their medical provider. If you have had a known or probable exposure to COVID-19, you cannot get tested right away. You must wait 8 days before being tested. COVID-19 has a relatively long incubation period, so being tested before 8 days has passed could result in a false negative. If you have questions about this, or any other questions related to COVID-19, please call Public Health at 360-416-1500. Skagit County Public Health 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, Dec 15, 5:00pm and Sunday, Dec 20, 5:30 – Ramon Torres, President of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, Jason Holland, WPEA Organizer, and Edgar Franks, C2C Organizer
Interview by Gary Kanter: Ramon, Jason, and Edgar tell the story of how a group of farm workers ended up negotiating a great union contract. For more information, go to http://familiasunidasjusticia.org/en/home/, https://www.facebook.com/FamiliasUnidas/, or http://www.foodjustice.org/team/.

We Do The Work Comment: We need our voting rights guaranteed.
#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; KMRE 102.3 FM, Bellingham, Sundays 11:00am and Wednesdays 7:30am. Our shows are available online. Stream or download a show at http://speakupspeakoutradio.org/ anytime.

NEW – Alternative Radio
Dave McConnell talks with David Barsamian, producer of Alternative Radio, about the state of the media in the US, the future of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. Barsamian shares some of his background and how he became involved with the media and why he began Alternative Radio – and continues with it after 25 years.

3. Coffee ‘n No Cards via Zoom: Each Monday, 10:00am, Zoom meeting ID: 728 6695 7807, password: 3G1teP
You are invited to attend. Contact Carol Sullivan at carolosully@yahoo.com for details. 2020 card total: 4,737, Grand Total: 12,891.