News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for June 7, 2021

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. Fidalgo Democrats next meet Tuesday, Jun 8, 7:00pm, via Zoom

• Advancing human rights and democracy
• Combating bigotry and hate
• Fostering social justice and equity

Join us for this opportunity to learn how bigotry impacts our lives, and what is being done to combat it–nationally, in Washington state, and locally in Anacortes. Devin Burgart, Executive Director of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, a social justice organization, will discuss who they are, what they do, and how they do it. Terry Kyllo and Anthony Young will talk about IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity in Anacortes) and how to build transformative relationships. For more information contact Barbara Cooper, 360 293-4123.

2. Indivisible Town Hall with Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, Tuesday, Jun 8, 7:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here to register for this event. “In 2020, WA State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti was the only Democratic candidate in the nation to win a statewide executive office against an incumbent. What does the State Treasurer do? How are Pellicciotti, the WA Legislature, and the America Rescue Plan helping shape our long-term economic and financial interests?

During registration we’ll ask for your congressional district (CD) and state legislative district (LD). If you don’t know them you can easily look them up at https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/. Thank you for helping us assess our engagement across Washington.”

3. UPDATED – Skagit County Democrats General Membership Meeting for Endorsements, Saturday, Jun 12, 10:00am – 1:00pm, via Zoom
Voting members must be current in dues and in good standing. Click Here to view our current Endorsement process. If you have not received an invitation and would like to attend, please email chair@skagitdemocrats.org to request connection information.

UPDATE FROM ENDORSEMENT COMMITTEE – On June 12th, an Endorsement Meeting of Skagit County Democrats will consider the endorsement of the candidates listed below as recommended by the Endorsement Committee. Information concerning the candidates can be obtained from their campaigns.

• David Baer
  • Position Sought: Sedro Wooley City Council, Position (At-Large)
  • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: votedavidforcitycouncil@gmail.com, 360-320-6838
  • Campaign mailing address: 7 22 Talco?? St. Sedro-Woolley, WA
• Richard Brocksmith
  • Position Sought: Mount Vernon City Council At-Large Position
  • Campaign name: People for Richard Brocksmith
  • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: electrbrocksmith@gmail.com 360 826 2094
  • Campaign website: www.richardbrocksmith.com
  • Campaign mailing address: PO Box 372 Mount Vernon WA 98273
  • Campaign manager and/or other key contacts:
  • Treasurer name and contact information: Eleven Vexler, same contact
• Amanda Hubik
  • Position sought: Anacortes City Council, Position 4 (At-Large)
  • Campaign name: Friends of Amanda Hubik  
  • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: Amanda4Anacortes@gmail.com; 360-499-3856
  • Campaign website: www.amandahubik.com
  • Campaign mailing address: PO Box 3014, Anacortes WA 98221
  • Campaign manager and/or other key contacts: Rita Sullivan is a part of my steering committee, and I am acting primarily as my own campaign manager
  • Treasurer name and contact information: Christy Lyman; 425-345-6680
• Stefanie LeJeunesse
  • Position sought: Skagit Public Hospital District Commissioner Position 6
  • Campaign name: Vote Stefanie: Stefanie LeJeunesse for Skagit Public Hospital District Commissioner
  • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: info@votestefanie.com 360-223-3741
  • Campaign website: http://www.votestefanie.com
  • Campaign mailing address: 914 S 10th St. Mount Vernon, WA 98274
  • Campaign manager and/or other key contacts: Amy Dials, campaign manager
  • Treasurer name and contact information: Nathan McGehee 360-223- 3741 nathanmcgehee@gmail.com

Candidates who submit requests for certification and endorsement before the final deadlines will be considered by the Endorsement Committee during the latter part of June. Remember the final deadline for certification is June 11 and for endorsement June 18. The membership meeting for consideration of these candidates for endorsement by the party will take place on July 10.

Important Correction: As all races are non-partisan, all candidates, including incumbents, wishing to be endorsed must submit a request for certification.

Information on requesting certification and endorsement can be found by clicking on the following links:

• Requirements for Certification – Explains the certification process, including how to apply for certification as a Democrat and why you must be certified before applying for endorsement. If you want access to Vote Builder, you must first be certified by Skagit Democrats. Certification also gives you access to other non-financial party resources.
• Requirements for Endorsement – Explains the endorsement process, including the importance of timely completing the Endorsement Questionnaire. No one can be endorsed without completing the Questionnaire.
• Endorsement Questionnaire

If you have any questions, please contact the Endorsement Committee at endorsements@skagitdemocrats.org.

4. The 40th Legislative District Democrats General Membership Meeting (Endorsements), Sunday, Jun 13, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, via Zoom with sign-in starting at 1:30pm
Click Here to register for the meeting. Click Here for more information.

5. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats General Meeting that had been scheduled for Saturday, Jun 19 has been postponed until June 26

6. NEW – Redistricting is happening now
Click Here for a Washington State League of Women Voters website about redistricting and how to become involved and knowledgeable about the process and issues.

7. Votebuilder training for all Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) will be conducted Saturday, Jun 26, 4:00pm
Registration and further information will be sent out to all PCO’s in an email. All PCOs should have login information from the state, however, if they need help with login information they can contact Bennett Massey Helber at bmasseyhelber@gmail.com or Nathaniel Block at nathaniel.r.block@gmail.com. The training will be provided by Bennet Massey Helber. There will be an approximately 30-minute refresher for experienced PCOs followed by an additional hour of instruction for those who need extra help. There will be other trainings provided to volunteers and candidates, but those dates have not yet been determined.

8. Join the conversation with Skagit County Democrats on Facebook and Twitter!
Engaging with our social media content by liking, commenting, and sharing helps us reach more viewers, builds community in a digital space, and provides opportunities to better mobilize when opportunities arise. If you haven’t already, please consider:

• Following us on Twitter
• Liking our Facebook page
• Joining the new Skagit County Democrats private Facebook group – This is open to all Skagit Dems members, voters, and like-minded constituents. The link directs you to the group, where you’ll have to request to join and an Online Media Posting (OMP) Committee member will approve your request.

For questions about Skagit County Democrats social media, please contact OMP@skagitdemocrats.org.

9. Skagit County Democrats Volunteer Opportunities
Are you active with social media? If you love to Tweet or post Facebook messages, we need you! Please contact Kat Lohman at kat@sidenoteconsult.com.
Are you a policy wonk and are actively tracking bills? Please be part of a new committee – the Legislative Committee. Contact chair@skagitdemocrats.org.
We have various Committees needing volunteers, including the Candidate Recruitment, Social Media, Finance, Outreach, and Fundraising Committees. Due to Covid-19, all events and meetings are online, and everyone is working from home. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering and being on our Committees, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinators, and they will help you find the right fit for your skills. We can also connect you to the Committee Chairs or our Party Chair. Please reach out to Larry at Larry.Hilliard@gmail.com for more information about Committees or Ashley at ash.gregorius@gmail.com for Outreach and Candidate Recruitment Committees.

10. Skagit Democrats Fundraisers

• 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.
• The Our America signs are still available at $10 each. Call (360-336-1555) or email staff@skagitdemocrats.org for pick up times and payment information.

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

• Amazon US customers have one week to opt out of mass wireless sharing – ATTENTION: Anyone with Amazon “smart” devices, i.e., “Echo”, “Alexa”, etc., must OPT-OUT by TUESDAY, JUN 8. Click Here for opt-out instructions.
• Understanding QAnon’s Connection to American Politics, Religion, and Media Consumption
• The Taiwan Temptation – Why Beijing Might Resort to Force
• America Has a Drinking Problem

COMMUNITY EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Pride Lives Here: Voices of the LGBTQIA+ Community, Tuesday, Jun 22, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, via Zoom and streamed on Facebook
Click Here to register.

2. Farmer’s Markets
Common sense COVID-19 precautions remain important. Keep a 6’ distance between yourself and other people. Wear an appropriate face covering per state regulations. Practice good hygiene – wash your hands with soap and water before you visit, while you are here at one of our handwash stations, and when you get home. Stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.

• Anacortes – Saturday, 9:00am – 2:00pm, The Depot, 611 R Avenue – Open
• Concrete – Saturday, 10:00am – 1:00pm, 45821 Railroad Avenue – Open
• Mount Vernon – Saturday, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Riverwalk Park, 501 Main Street, Open
• Sedro-Woolley – Wednesday, 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Hammer Heritage Square, Corner of Metcalf & Ferry Streets, Open

3. Skagit County continues in COVID-19 Phase 3 Recovery

4. UPDATED – COVID-19 Vaccines
Skagit County Public Health has closed first-dose vaccine services at the Fairgrounds and will focus primarily on second-dose vaccinations until June 26 when the site will close permanently. Other local vaccine sites can be obtained Here by entering your Zip code. This move will allow Public Health to right-size operations and serve the community in more convenient locations through additional mobile clinics.

*New* Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics this summer! Find us at the following Skagit County locations:

• Tue, June 8: Pine Street Park, Mount Vernon from 11am-4pm
• Wed, June 9: Terramar Brewstillery from 4-7pm
• Sat, June 12: Skagit Speedway from 5:30-9pm
• Sat, June 19: Mount Vernon Farmers Market from 9am-12pm
• Sat, June 19: Mount Baker Presbyterian Church, Concrete from 10am-2pm
• Sat, July 3: Big Lake 3rd of July Festival from 10am-2pm
• Sat, July 24: Clear Lake Fire Department from 10am-2pm

All individuals 12 years of age and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Parent/guardian consent to vaccinate will be required for all dependent minors (ages 12-17) and can be provided either in-person or over the phone at the time of the appointment. Please note: 12-17 years old will need to receive the Pfizer vaccine, as this is the only vaccine currently approved for use in minors.

The CDC updated guidance for fully vaccinated people to say that those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Everyone—including those who are fully vaccinated—must continue to mask on public transit, in schools, clinics, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

Click Here for the Skagit County Public Health Department vaccine webpage and the most current information about availability. Evening appointments are now available at the Fairgrounds.

5. NEW – Skagit County now lists several locations for COVID-19 testing
Click Here for the list.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! Radio
Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! – a half hour 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.

SUSO will not be broadcasting a program this week. Previous shows are still available as noted above.