News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for August 16, 2021

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. UPDATED – New Headquarters Office Space
We are now in our new Headquarters Office Space. The address is 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon. Our mailing address (P.O. Box 761, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273) remains the same as does our telephone number (360-336-1555). We are located right next door to Munros’ Driving Instruction. We are not yet ready for business as we continue to organize and put things away. This will be an on-going process for at least a couple of weeks. Our old downtown office is no longer open for business.

We are occupying the space previously used by Farmer’s Insurance. In addition to the office space, we will have access to a large conference room on the ground floor for meetings. We will also have access to a smaller conference room on the upper floor. The move comes with ample parking and easy access via College Way or LaVenture Road. Click Here for a map. Although we will be downsizing a bit, the move represents a significant monetary saving over the next several years.

2. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Aug 21, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location/connection information is not available at this time. Please contact the Chair at Chair@10thlddemocrats.org.

3. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Membership will meet Sunday, Aug 22, 2:00pm, via Zoom
This is a Membership meeting (including all PCOs and paid members) to consider the draft “Resolution urging Governor Inslee to sign “Equity Now!” Executive Order. Advance registration for the Zoom meeting is required. Click Here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please remember not to share that actual meeting link and to only share the registration link in order to maintain the intent of registration. The registration link is also published on the public calendar.

4. NEW – The 40th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug 26, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the connection link.

5. NEW – Door-knocking for Joe Burns, candidate for Sedro-Woolley City Council, Saturday, Aug 28, 8:30am, 908 Talcott Street, Sedro-Woolley
“The campaign has gotten off to a spectacular start and we are deeply appreciative of everyone who has helped out so far! We are currently seeking volunteers for door knocking on August 28th. Meeting at 908 Talcott St in Sedro-Woolley, 8:30 am. The ward will be broken down into walk lists of around 60 homes, so we don’t ask to much of your time. I would deeply appreciate your help in generating voter support. If you or someone you know can help out, please let us know. It’s people like you who are going to help guarantee we have a successful campaign! Sincerely, Joe Burns, 360-474-7223, campaign@electjoeburns.com, https://electjoeburns.com/.

6. Fidalgo Democrats Will not be meeting in August
Save September 14 for (tentatively) our first return to an in-person meeting at the Anacortes Public Library. We plan to host a candidate forum. Please keep in mind that our plan to meet in person could change pending developments with the Covid-19 infections. We can easily revert to Zoom meetings if necessary. Face masks will be required at any in-person meeting.

7. UPDATED – Soups for the Democratic Soul, POSTPONED
“The 40th Dems’ Soup Cookoff Planning Committee decided to postpone the upcoming event in light of the ongoing surge of COVID’s Delta variant across Washington and the risk it may pose to our attendees. As soon as it is safe to do so, we plan to reschedule the event. The committee appreciates everyone who volunteered to be a contestant and we hope you will still be able to participate once it’s safe again. We can’t wait for when everyone can get together in person.”

8. The 40th Legislative District Democrats are soliciting applications for Board positions
Current vacancies include:

• Finance Committee Chair
• Actions Committee Chair
• Community Committee Chair
• Deputy Treasurer
• Young Democrats Representative

A description of the positions, tasks, and time commitments can be found Here. If you have any questions, please email 40thdems@gmail.com.

9. NEW – ATTENTION: 39th Legislative District Democrats
The Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee has cancelled their planned booth at the 2021 Evergreen State Fair due to the current COVID-19 surge.

10. Stronger TOGETHER Skagit (STS) card writers
“Last year, we wrote over 12,000 postcards for local candidates as Stronger TOGETHER Skagit (STS) card writers. This year, as part of the Skagit Democrats 2021 GOTV campaign, we will write postcards to urge Democrats across the county to be BLUE voters in the November 2021 election. While card writing is still writing a card, there are changes from last year.

• Pickup/drop-off hub is Skagit Democratic Headquarters at 2021 College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon. There will be “remote” collection/drop-off locations in Anacortes, Alger/Bow/Edison area, Sedro-Woolley and Concrete. You can volunteer your porch or covered area to be a collection/drop off location!
• No postage stamps needed! Bulk mailing rates can be used since no specific candidate is mentioned.  
• Cards are returned to Skagit Dems HQ for mailing.
• Your help is needed – and not just for card writing.

One-time tasks (like card counting) or for ongoing tasks (like packet assembly) thru mid-October, when cards will be mailed needs volunteers. Be an STS crew leader, or help with specific tasks, and then with all STS card writers, we can break a big job into smaller tasks that will involve more people – AND make the work easier for everyone. We’ll meet or exceed our 12,000 total from last year! (NOTE: initial batch of cards is just 3,000)

If you’d like to volunteer now for one of the areas listed below, please email Carol Sullivan at carolosully@yahoo.com.
We need one (or two) STS Crew Leader to monitor each of the following tasks:

• One-time:
  • Postcard Counting: The first batch of 3,000 cards arrives soon, and they’ll be counted into batches of 10 for easy packet assembly.
  • Address Counting: Breaking mailing lists into groups of 10 names each to match with cards during packet assembly.
• On-going:
  • Master List: Recording “orders” on a list that tracks name, number, location details and works closely with Packet Assembly and Delivery/Pickup crew leaders.
  • Packet Assembly: This is ongoing and will be done in MV office in coordination with the Master List and Delivery/Pickup crew leaders.
  • Remote Packet Location: Volunteer your porch or covered area with close parking and easy access for all to contain a bin with packets being delivered or returned when completed. We need locations in Anacortes, La Conner, Alger, Sedro-Woolley, and Concrete areas.
  • Remote Packet Delivery/Pickup: Ideally, this is someone who gets to MV 2-3 times a week to collect from/deliver packets between Skagit Democrats Headquarters and remote locations – ideally a different person for each location! By having remote pickup/return, we save time and gas and enable more people to participate in STS card writing.
  • PoB (Pat on the Back) postcards to writers. Hand written thank you notes on colorful postcard stock can be done during the campaign and sent after all cards are mailed with individual and group total numbers noted. Alternatively, PoB emails can be sent. TBD.

And we can ALL be STS Card Writers! We are, after all, Stronger Together Skagit!”

11. Important dates for upcoming election season
The following is from the Skagit County Auditor’s Office:

• August 3, Primary Election
  • August 17 – Primary Election Certification – 1:30 PM*
• November 2, General Election
  • September 17 – Military and Overseas ballots mailed
  • TBD – Official Logic & Accuracy test
  • October 13 – Domestic ballots mailed
  • October 25 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
  • November 2 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
  • November 2 – 2021 General Election Day – Closes 8:00 PM
  • November 16 – Canvassing Board Meeting – 1:30 PM*
  • November 23 – General Election Certification – 1:30 PM*

*Times may change if a scheduling conflict arises. Changes will be posted on the Auditor’s web site.

All Logic & Accuracy Tests, Canvassing Board, and Certification Meetings are held at: Skagit County Elections Department, Skagit County Auditor’s Office, 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

12. Skagit County Democrats 2021 Endorsements
The membership has endorsed the following candidates running for office or a board position this year.  

• Anacortes
  • Ryan Walters
    • Position Sought: Mayor, City of Anacortes
    • Campaign name: Committee to Elect Ryan Walters
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: campaign@ryanwalters.com; (360) 610-7770
    • Campaign website: https://www.ryanwalters.com/
    • Campaign mailing address: 1803 10th Street, Anacortes WA 98221
  • 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: https://www.amandahubik.com/
    • Campaign mailing address: PO Box 3014, Anacortes WA 98221
  • Sara Holahan
    • Position Sought: Anacortes City Council, At-Large Pos. 5
    • Campaign name: Citizens for Sara
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: sara@saraholahan.com
    • Campaign website: http://saraholahan.com/
    • Campaign mailing address: PO Box 1702 Anacortes, WA 98221
• Burlington
  • Tonya Bieche
    • Position Sought: Burlington-Edison School District 100, Director District 2
    • Campaign name: Tonya Bieche
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: biechebieche@gmail.com; (360)757-1020
• Mount Vernon
  • Iris Carias
    • Position Sought: Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 1, Position 2
    • Campaign email and phone number: VoteIrisCarias@gmail.com; (360)-333-7836
    • Website: http://voteforiris.com/wp/
  • Juan Morales
    • Position Sought: Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 1, Pos. 1
    • Campaign name: Juan Morales
    • Campaign E-mail address: morales2021.citycouncil@gmail.com
    • Campaign mailing address: PO BOX 2261, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
  • 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: https://www.richardbrocksmith.com/
    • Campaign mailing address: PO Box 372 Mount Vernon WA 98273
  • Melissa Beaton
    • Position Sought: Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 3, Position 2
    • Campaign name: Re-Elect Melissa Beaton to Mount Vernon City Council
    • Campaign email and phone number: melissabeaton@comcast.net; (360)630-7070
  • Chris Sadler
    • Position Sought: Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 3, Position 2
    • Campaign name: Christopher Sadler for Mount Vernon City Council
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: csadlercitycouncil@gmail.com, (360) 540-9902
    • Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/csadlercitycouncil
  • Stefanie LeJeunesse
    • Position sought: Skagit Public Hospital District Commissioner Pos. 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/
• Sedro Woolley
  • David Baer
    • Position Sought: Sedro Woolley City Council, At-Large Position
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: votedavidforcitycouncil@gmail.com
    • (360) 320-6838
  • Joseph Burns
    • Position Sought: Sedro Woolley City Council, Ward 6
    • Campaign name: Friends to Elect Joe Burns
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: joe@electjoeburns.com; (360) 474-7223
    • Campaign website: https://electjoeburns.com/
  • Enrique Lopez Cisneros
    • Position Sought: Sedro Woolley School District 101, Director Dist.1
    • Campaign name: Enrique Lopez Cisneros
    • Campaign E-mail address and phone number: sedrounited@gmail.com

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. NEW – From the Chair’s Corner
“I hope you all found ways to keep cool and safe during this latest heatwave with smoke-filled air.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped us move on Sunday August 8, and those who continue to assist with the move. We were able to get nearly everything moved to the new office space in just one day! It is because of all our volunteers that we were able to have such a seamless move. Now, we are focused on organizing in the new space, and moving last-minute items in the old space.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers who assisted us with the Skagit County Fair. Hannah Oliver organized the event this year, and did a wonderful job!

Great news to share with you all. Sandy Perkins, our Skagit County Auditor has included a budget request to the County Commissioners in order to provide ballots and voters guides in Spanish! (Please email her and thank her – sandyp@co.skagit.wa.us.) The County Commissioners will review this budget during the month of November. We will keep you posted on the exact date of this meeting so that we can show some community support for this badly needed budget request.

As we watch COVID cases continue to spike in Skagit County, I want to take this moment to remind you to please wear your mask. All volunteers in our office space will be required to wear a mask, even though you may be vaccinated. We simply don’t know who may be immunocompromised, and thus at a greater risk of contracting COVID. I know that we all are committed to doing what’s best for our community and looking out for one another. Please check in with our unhoused community members, as well as each other, especially those who have young children, and are the most vulnerable in our community. I am proud of the way democrats are doing our part in this fight against COVID!

Skagit County Democrats and the STS card writing group met together in our new conference room space and sorted packs of postcards to be sent out in our effort to Get Out the Vote. We will provide lists of names and addresses of Democrats in Skagit County reminding them to vote blue up and down the ballot! It was remarkable how well Carol Sullivan organized this group and the number of volunteers who turned out for this effort. Thank you!

Our candidates need your help!! Please reach out to the candidates we have endorsed and offer to help their campaigns. We need to have a strong show of support for our Democratic candidates, especially now. Due to the spike in COVID cases in Skagit County, it is imperative that when we door-knock, we continue to wear our masks, and socially distance. We really need to knock on as many doors as possible while it is summer and the weather is nice. A list of all our endorsed candidates is included in this newsletter.

Have a great week! Lynn”

16. 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.

• New 2020 census results show increased diversity countering decade-long declines in America’s white and youth populations
• Secret IRS Files Reveal How Much the Ultrawealthy Gained by Shaping Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Tax Cut”
• Six Important Things to Know About Breakthrough Infections
• The Science of Temperature Is Weirder Than You Think

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. Concrete Cascade Days will be celebrated Saturday, Aug 21, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Parade begins at 9:00am. Click Here for more information.

2. NEW – Skagit County Job Posting: Community Health Planner – Diversity & Inclusion
Public Health is seeking a community health planner for Diversity & Inclusion efforts, both within Public Health and with the Population Health Trust. Click Here for more information. Contact Person: Kristen Ekstran, kekstran@co.skagit.wa.us, 360-708-8837, Skagit County Public Health.

3. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Case counts are rising again in Skagit County. Click Here to see the Level of Community Transmission in Skagit County. Click Here for the Skagit County Public Health webpage.

Skagitonians urged to get vaccinated; wear masks in light of increasing COVID-19 cases – Click Here for the press release.

Masking – From Skagit County Public Health
“The Centers for Disease Control issued a new recommendation that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should wear masks in public indoor spaces in parts of the U.S. where disease transmission that is ‘substantial,’ defined by the CDC as at least 50 new cases per 100,000 residents over the last week. Per CDC data, this includes Skagit County. You can view that data here.

Similarly, our Public Health Officer released a statement on Monday agreeing with these recommendations. Masking can get the transmission of the delta variant under control and can protect those who are not yet vaccinated. That said, vaccination is—and will continue to be—the absolute best tool we have to stop the spread of COVID-19. Local data shows that from March 1, 2021 to July 13, 2021 96% of all COVID cases were in unvaccinated individuals. This perfectly highlights the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. For the full statement: https://bit.ly/3i5DZ23.”

Businesses and local authorities will continue to have the right to be stricter in their masking requirements after June 30. Guidance for employers is available on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website.

Masking helps protect those who are unvaccinated, including children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated and others with auto-immune or other conditions that prevent them from being vaccinated. Parents should be reminded that there is real risk to children until vaccinations are available. Kids who aren’t vaccinated still need to wear masks, though children younger than two years old should never wear a mask due to the risk of suffocation.

For more information on what reopening entails, refer to the follow links: FAQs or Reopening Guidance.

COVID-19 Vaccines – COVID-19 Skagit County Public Health DRIVE-THRU Vaccination Site at the Skagit County Fairgrounds HAS NOW CLOSED. Other local vaccine sites can be obtained Here by entering your Zip code.

Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics – Find us at the following Skagit County locations:

• Sat, August 21: Anacortes Ready-To-Learn Fair from 9am-12pm
• Wed, August 25: Immaculate Conception Regional School from 11am-1pm
• Thu, August 26: Skagit Valley Family YMCA from 4:30pm-7:30pm
• Sat, August 28: Samish Elementary, Sedro-Woolley from 9am-12pm
• Sat, August 28: Mount Vernon First United Methodist Church from 5-7pm
• Tue, September 7: Skagit Valley College from 4-7pm
• Sat, September 11: Anacortes High School from 9am-12pm

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.

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. On March 31, Governor Inslee announced that all adults, ages 16 and older, are eligible for vaccination.

Testing – “With case numbers on the rise and delta circulating in Skagit County, Public Health wants to remind everyone that getting tested is still essential in our fight against the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, whether you have been vaccinated or not, if you’ve been around someone who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms.

For a list of local testing options, go to: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthDiseases/coronavirusTESTsites.htm.

Skagit County Public Health is now offering free antigen testing at our Wednesday evening vaccine clinics at the Skagit County Administrative Building (700 S 2nd St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273). We accept anyone 5 years and older; no appointment or insurance required. Test results are available in 15 minutes. Note: This is NOT intended as a pre-travel test.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. NEW – In Memoriam
Obituary for Ineke (Hebeltje) Joy Dykstra of Mount Vernon. Ms Dykstra was a contributor to the Skagit County Democrats.