News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on May 29th, 2022
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for May 30, 2022
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. The Skagit County Democrats’ Endorsements Meeting is Saturday, Jun 4, 1:30pm via Zoom
Click Here to register for the meeting.
2. NEW – Meet and support Clyde Shavers, candidate for 10th Legislative District Representative, Position 1, Thursday, Jun 2, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, Farmstrong Brewing and Taproom, 110 Stewart Road, Mount Vernon
By sure to reserve your spot by emailing Bridget@bobmanconsulting.com. Click Here for more information.
3. NEW – 40th Legislative District Representative Debra Lekanoff’s Campaign Kickoff, Monday, Jun 6, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, Twin Sisters Brewing Company, 500 Carolina Street, Bellingham
Click Here for more information.
4. NEW – House party for Dave Paul, 10th Legislative District Representative, Position 2, hosted by Jere LaFollette, Tuesday, Jun 7, 5:30pm, Mount Vernon
Light refreshments will be provided by the host. To RSVP, please email Marie at mariefshimada@gmail.com.
5. NEW – Fidalgo Democrats will meet Tuesday, Jun 14, 7:00pm – 9:00pm via Zoom
“Liz Lovelett, Senator from the 40th will join us to talk about the past legislative session and to let us know what is planned for next year. Please join to hear about what exciting legislation is planned for 2023. Call Barbara Cooper, 360-293-4123 for the zoom link.”
6. The Skagit County Democrats Annual 2022 Gala has been postponed until Oct 8
“The gala team has made the difficult decision to postpone our 2022 fundraising gala and auction from our original date of Saturday, June 4th to Saturday, October 8th.
We continue to sell tickets! – $75.00 per person or $600.00 per 8-person table. If you have already purchased gala tickets, you can either keep them for the October date or you can request a refund by calling: 360-336-1555. The theme for this year is: “Ensuring our Democracy Together.” To secure your tickets please make a donation using this link. Please indicate “Gala” and the number of tickets in the “Purpose” box.
We will continue to gratefully accept any auction item donations through spring and summer in preparation for our fall gala. Donations can either be dropped off at our Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday-Thursday or you can request an item be picked-up – email: staff@skagitdemocrats.org.
7. Washington State Democratic Convention
“Join us for our party’s annual convention June 24-25 at the Tacoma Convention Center. More information will be released soon, including the names of our VIP guests!”
8. Skagit County Democrats will continue to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office
While the Statewide mask mandate has been lifted for many situations, we will continue to require facemasks at our Headquarters until further notice.
9. NEW – A message from Dave Paul, 10th Legislative District Representative, Position 2
“Friends,
I am disappointed to learn that Washington State Ferries was not able to negotiate a fair price for the construction of five new hybrid-electric ferries. These ferries are critical to maintain existing ferry routes and provide residents throughout our community and region with reliable transportation to work, healthcare appointments, and educational opportunities. Washington State Ferries are also critical to local businesses, helping to bring supplies and visitors to our community.
As vice-chair of the Legislative Ferry Caucus, I’ve followed the negotiations between the prime contractor and Washington State Ferries closely, and I’ve remained frustrated with the lack of progress toward establishing a fair price. In addition, the prime contractor ignored the Legislature’s clear intention that ferries be built in the Puget Sound region. Despite repeated attempts to ensure the new ferries are built in Puget Sound, the prime contractor focused on keeping its corporate owners happy—and shifting ferry construction to its Columbia River facilities. This scheme not only drove up the cost of ferry construction, but it would have benefited Oregon workers instead of Washington taxpayers.
Instead, our state should focus its efforts on ensuring our state has a robust shipbuilding industry right here in Puget Sound. As we’ve seen in recent years, we should not rely on a single producer of any product. Rather, our state should be doing everything in its power to ensure local ship building companies in our region can compete together for state projects. That contributes to living-wage jobs and a diverse local economy—and it keeps local tax dollars right here in our community.
Now that Washington State Ferries has made the decision to end negotiations, we can shift our focus to local firms that will save taxpayer money and support local, living-wage jobs. I’ve been working closely with local shipbuilders like Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, and I know they’re ready to participate in a fair bidding process. I encourage Washington State Ferries to move quickly with this process, so that we can rebuild our fleet with hybrid ferries. I’m excited that the next generation of Washington State Ferries can be built right here in the 10th District.
These new hybrid ferries will not only reduce pollution, but hybrid ferries will significantly reduce operating costs as they do not need to rely solely on diesel fuel. We’ve seen energy prices spike because of global conflicts, and it’s more important than ever that we transition off fossil fuels. As diesel prices have skyrocketed, we should focus on ways to save taxpayer dollars by reducing fuel costs—and hybrid ferries will do just that.
As always, it’s an honor to serve.
Sincerely,
Dave
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-dave-paul-1“
10. 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.
- Gun Policy in America (Rand Corp.)
- Everything You Need to Know About Monkeypox
- What’s Behind America’s Shocking Baby-Formula Shortage?
- Did an Enslaved Woman Try to Warn the Americans of Benedict Arnold’s Treason?
- In a first, U.S. government green-lights American investment in private business in Cuba
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Safe and Sane Skagit invites you to “join us on Friday, the 3rd of June in front of the Edison Granary, 14136 Gilmore Ave, Edison, to have a picture taken for the National Day of Remembrance to honor those lives lost to gun violence – And wear Orange”
“Safe and Sane Skagit was founded in 2015 on the heels of the Umpqua Community College mass shootings. We gathered in front of the All American Armory gun shop on Chuckanut and Bow Hill Road in protest of the presence of the mural they were painting of two M – 15 ‘s crossed over each other – a glorification of the gun culture that has been at the heart of the gun violence in this country. We didn’t know what to do but we showed up. It gave us a place to put our anger and grief and we eventually organized ourselves. Today the gun shop is no longer there and Washington State has made great strides in getting gun legislation on the books. But the mass shootings continue and increase in most of the country. It takes more of us to make this change.
We at SaSS participate in many activities to further our common goals. Sometimes lobbying, writing letters, or outreach to the public. This month we are being a visible presence in our communities by wearing Orange on the weekend of June 3rd – June 5th. It seems small after the heartbreaking loss of young beautiful lives in Texas this week. But it is something.”
2. NEW – Sedro-Woolley Blast from the Past, Friday – Sunday, Jun 3 – 5, downtown Sedro-Woolley
“The theme for this year will be “Vintage 1972″. Music, Street Fair, Local Eats, Entertainment, Blast of Color 5k Fun Run/Walk, Kids Games and more.”
3. The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Jun 4, 11:00am – 12:00pm, on the sidewalk in front of the Mount Vernon Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
Bring your signs, your friends, your family, and your masks.
4. Mountain Film Festival, Thursday, Jun 2 – Sunday, Jun 5, Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete
Click Here for more information.
5. Anacortes Waterfront Festival, Saturday, Jun 4, 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday, Jun 5, 10:00am to 5:00pm, Cap Sante Marina, 1019 Q Ave, Anacortes
Click Here for more information.
6. Women2Women Circles virtual training event, Wednesdays, Jun 15 and Jul 12, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
“Women2Women Circles mobilize women to form local organizing groups that break isolation, practice feminist values in action, and grow our collective strength. Circles nurture, activate and train thousands of everyday women to take meaningful action around life and death feminist issues and organizing at the intersection of economic, racial, and gender justice. Join us to learn how you can become a Circle Coordinator and join hundreds of other local groups of women/feminists across race and place taking action, bringing new women into the fight and community with each other.” Click Here for more information.
7. Annual Call for Applications for the County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission works with the Planning and Development Services Department and advises the Department and the Board of County Commissioners on proposed land use plans and regulations in unincorporated Skagit County. Currently, there are no vacancies on the Planning Commission. This call for applications is for residents who would like to be added to the pool of candidates to be considered when there is a vacancy. Applications must be emailed no later than Friday, Jun 10, at 4:30pm. Click Here for more information.
8. UPDATED – Farmer’s Markets Opening in Skagit Valley
- Anacortes – Open – Saturdays, 9:00am – 2:00pm, At the Depot, 7th Street & R Avenue
- Concrete – Open – Saturdays, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad Avenue
- Mount Vernon – Open – Saturdays, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Riverwalk Park, 501 Main Street
- Sedro-Woolley – Open – Wednesdays, 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Hammer Heritage Square, Metcalf and Ferry Streets
Farmers Market Vouchers Available Beginning June 1 for Eligible Seniors – “Beginning Wednesday, June 1, the Skagit County Senior Nutrition Program will have a limited number of Farmers Market Vouchers available for Skagit County seniors, age 60 years or older (55+ if Native American/Alaska Native), who meet certain income requirements. A monthly income requirement of $2,096 or less for individuals, and $2,823 or less for couples, must be met to be eligible. Each eligible person will receive up to 80 dollars in vouchers to be used at any approved Skagit County Farmers Market or Farm Store. Vouchers will be given on a first-come/first-served basis, with one set available per person. Vouchers will be available while supplies last.” Click Here for more information.
9. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of May 25
Click Here for the full report and resources.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Coffee & Cards is BACK!
“Are you looking for a way to make a positive contribution to our democracy while enjoying the company of others? Coffee and Cards is starting up again on Wednesdays from 10-11 am. This is a group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan (who sadly moved away) and is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all. We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world. This includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world. We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address. Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently .40 (and will be going up to .44 in the summer). Coffee will be provided or bring your own. As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, 360-336-1555.”