News from the Skagit County Democrats

Posted on September 6th, 2021

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for September 6, 2021

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DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEWThe Skagit County Democrats General Membership next meets Saturday, Sep 11, 10:00am – 12:00pm, via Zoom
Please Register in advance for this meeting. If you are a member in good standing but have not received an invitation via email, please contact chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

2. UPDATEDNew Headquarters Office Space
We are now in our new Headquarters Office Space. The address is 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon 98273-2373. Our telephone number (360-336-1555) remains the same. We are located right next door to Munros’ Driving Instruction.

PLEASE NOTE – Our mailing address has changed. We have closed our Post Office Box. The new mailing address is: 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, 98273-2373.

3. NEWWhatcom County Democrats’ Eleanor Roosevelt Online Auction is being conducted Wednesday, Sep 8, 12:00pm – Saturday, Sep 11, 9:00pm
“The Eleanor Roosevelt Online Gala and auction is the sole fundraiser for the Whatcom Democrats 2021 campaign.” Click Here for the auction information.

4. Fidalgo Democrats will next meet Tuesday, Sep 14, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, via Zoom
“Candidate Forum for Anacortes Mayor, City Council, School Board, Fidalgo Pool – All candidates for Anacortes Mayor, City Council member, School Board member and Fidalgo Pool Commissioner have been invited to join this forum. The candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves, followed by a period of prepared questions from our moderator, Shay Schual-Berke, former Washington State Representative. Time will be set aside for questions from the audience. You are invited to submit your questions in advance of the forum to Shay Schual-Berke at: shayschualberke@gmail.com. This is your opportunity to meet the candidates and to have your questions answered.” For more information contact Barbara Cooper, 360-293-4123.

5. NEWThe 10th Legislative District Democrats is scheduled to meet Saturday, Sep 18, 10:30am – 12:30pm

6. The GOTV (Get Out the Vote) Card Project
“The GOTV card project is underway. But we have 15,000 cards to write that will encourage Democrats across Skagit to VOTE in November, and to vote DEMOCRAT for important local positions – positions that make decisions about our schools and hospitals and other agencies that affect our daily lives here in Skagit Valley. Please consider writing (minimum) 20 cards! And reaching out to others in your contact circle to encourage them to be writers as well . . . “

Here are the basics:

  • ORDER your cards with a SEPARATE, NEW email to Carol Sullivan (so your order doesn’t get lost in an email thread) at carolosully@yahoo.com:
    • Use the following convention: Last, First names, Number of cards (20 minimum), Pickup/drop off location: (Mount Vernon or Anacortes)
      • Mount Vernon: Skagit Dem Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104 (east end of the building)
      • Anacortes: 1319 8th Street, Anacortes (Robert & Andrea Doll’s front porch)
  • PICKUP at your location when an email notification is sent. NO POSTAGE required!
  • WRITE your cards using prepared script.
  • RETURN the cards BY SATURDAY, OCT 9 to either the Mount Vernon or Anacortes location for bulk mailing.

Note: An additional pickup/drop-off location has new been added for Shelter Bay/La Conner. The exact address will be included for those that prefer that location in the email notification that the cards are ready for pickup.

7. UPDATEDRedistricting News
Now that the final census data has been released for our state’s redistricting process, the bipartisan Redistricting Commission has released their planned schedule for major dates to track in the rest of the process:
Currently – DrawYourWA mapping tool (The mapping contractor has updated the MyDistricting mapping tool with 2020 Census geographies and 2020 Census population and demographic data adjusted for the relocation of individuals in state custody to their previous known addresses per RCW 44.05.140.)

  • Tuesday, September 21 – Commissioners will each release their proposed state legislative district map.
  • Tuesday, September 28 – Commissioners will each release their proposed congressional district map.
  • Tuesday, October 5 (7 p.m.) – Statewide Virtual Public Outreach Meeting to receive feedback on state legislative map proposals.
  • Saturday, October 9 (10 a.m.) – Statewide Virtual Public Outreach Meeting to receive feedback on congressional map proposals.
  • Friday, October 22 – Deadline to ensure full consideration of third-party map submissions by the Commission.
  • Monday, November 15 – Deadline for Commission to submit final maps to the Legislature.

. . . If you want to learn more about immediate steps for getting involved, our state party’s Redistricting Committee hosted a great webinar training on how to use the Draw Your WA tool along with third-party mapping software like the free Dave’s Redistricting tool. We encourage folks who want to get involved and learn more about redistricting and their communities to watch the webinar here.”

2021 Skagit County Redistricting – In Skagit County information on the redistricting of County Commissioner Districts can be found HERE.

“Two [more] public meetings and one public hearing are scheduled for redistricting:

  • September 27, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (public meeting)
  • October 25, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (public meeting)
  • November 22, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (public hearing for a final redistricting plan)

Meetings this fall will be held either in a hybrid format or fully virtually, depending on best Public Health guidance at the time. If you have questions or need additional information, please visit https://www.publicinput.com/skagitcountyredistricting. You can also email redistricting@co.skagit.wa.us or call 360-416-1700 for more information.”

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

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.

9. 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: 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
    • 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
    • Joseph Burns
    • 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

10. Skagit County Democrats Volunteer Opportunities

  • Are you willing to help us staff our new Headquarters Office? Please email staff@skagitdemocrats.org to let us know your interest and availability.
  • 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.

11. 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:

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

12. NEWLinks 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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEWLeague of Women Voters Skagit has scheduled a session with Alison McCaffree, LWVWA Redistricting Chair, Tuesday, Sep 7, 7:00pm – 7:30pm, via Zoom
“Even if you don’t know what our current districts look like, you’ll want to know what they could look like if the Redistricting Commission adopts what League of Women Voters of WA proposes. I guarantee there will be surprises, and opportunity to express your opinions. Alison will be able to share her rational for the changes you’ll see, and wants your feedback! It isn’t set in stone . . . but it represents not months, but years of work on Alison’s part …” Click Here for the Redistricting Office Hour Zoom Link.

2. School Start Dates
Be on the lookout for the youngsters. MOST SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY RUNNING. School start dates are as follows:

  • Anacortes – Wednesday, Sep 8
  • Burlington-Edison – Wednesday, Sep 1
  • Concrete – Wednesday, Sep 1
  • Conway – Monday, Aug 30
  • La Conner – Wednesday, Sep 1
  • Mount Vernon – Wednesday, Sep 1
  • Sedro-Woolley – Tuesday, Sep 7

WATCH OUT FOR KIDS ON THE ROADS!!!

3. NEWSedro-Woolley’s Blast from the Past celebration, Friday, Sep 10 – Sunday, Sep 12, downtown Sedro-Woolley

4. NEWSkagit County partners with PaintCare to recycle household paint for free
Skagit County transfer station is now accepting all types of household paint at the Hazardous Waste Building for free recycling. This is made possible in part by PaintCare, a statewide non-profit working in paint stewardship. “We’re really excited to be able to work with PaintCare and offer this service,” said Margo Gillaspy, Skagit County Transfer Station Manager. “Previously we told customers that they had to dry out latex paint with newspaper or kitty litter, which could be a costly and laborious process. Now customers can drop off all types of household paint directly at our Hazardous Waste building where it can be reused or recycled . . . Paint products are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, located at 14104 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. The facility is open 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.” Click Here for more information.

5. Skagit County Rental Assistance Program
The Skagit County Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance for rent and utilities to income-eligible Skagit County renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19. Click Here for more information.

6. UPDATEDCOVID-19 Information
Skagit County continues to see its highest COVID-19 case numbers to date. Our current levels are higher now than they were back in the winter of 2020.

Click Here to see the Level of Community Transmission in Skagit County. Click Here for the Skagit County Public Health webpage.

Masking – State-wide Mask Mandate now in Effect
‘Governor Inslee’s statewide mask mandate went into effect on Monday, August 23. Masks are once again required in most indoor public places across the state, including restaurants, grocery stores, malls, and public-facing offices. The mask mandate applies to all Washingtonians five years and older, regardless of vaccination status. While not required, people are strongly encouraged to wear masks when gathering outdoors in large groups as well. For the full press release: https://bit.ly/3mbAauI.”

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.

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing
Skagit County is once again operating a COVID-19 testing and vaccination site at the Skagit County Fairgrounds. Both testing and vaccination is available to the public free of cost.

  • Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • South Gate Entrance of the Fairgrounds: 501 Taylor St, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
  • No insurance or appointment required!
  • Vaccination is available for anyone 12+; we will have first and second doses available, as well as 3rd doses for certain immunocompromised individuals. Please talk with your doctor before seeking a third dose.
  • Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available (based on supply)
  • Antigen testing is available for anyone 5+.

Have questions? Please call (360) 416-1500.

Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics – Find us at the following Skagit County locations:
WEEKLY VACCINE CLINIC: Wednesdays, 6-9pm at the Skagit County Administrative Building Hearing Room
Wed, September 1: Chinook Enterprises, Mount Vernon from 11am-1pm
Sat, September 11: Anacortes High School from 9am-12pm

“Skagit County Public Health will now make third doses available to immunocompromised individuals. People are asked to speak with their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.”

“Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a vaccination requirement for employees working in K-12, most childcare and early learning, and higher education, as well as an expansion of the statewide mask mandate to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.” Click Here for more information.

Click Here for the Skagit County Public Health Department vaccine webpage and the most current information about availability. On March 31, Governor Inslee announced that all adults, ages 16 and older, are eligible for vaccination.

Other Testing Options – “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 full 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. Speak Up, Speak Out
Although Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) has not been airing new broadcasts, past broadcasts going back to March 2006 are still available for the next year at their website: http://speakupspeakoutradio.org/.

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