News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on June 12th, 2022
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for June 13, 2022
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Office will be closed Monday, Jun 13
2. UPDATED – 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.
Also joining us will be several local candidates for legislature and county offices. They will have an opportunity to introduce themselves to our group. There will be time for questions following his presentation.
Call Barbara Cooper, 360-293-4123 for the zoom link.”
3. UPDATED – Rick Larsen has a doorbelling event Saturday, Jun 18, 1:00pm, Maiben Park, 1011 Greenleaf Avenue, Burlington
“We would love to see you there! Please RSVP by contacting hannah@ricklarsen.org or (360)421-7570. If you would like to join our campaign or get a yard sign, please let us know by filling out our brief form: bit.ly/larsen22.” Hannah Oliver, Field Coordinator, Citizens to Elect Rick Larsen
4. Join with Fidalgo Democrats and Skagit County Democrats as we march in the First Annual Anacortes Pride Parade, Saturday, Jun 18, 11:00am – 12:00pm, downtown Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
Parade route: Starting place on 3rd Street and O Avenue – 3rd Street and Commercial Avenue – Commercial Avenue and 10th Street – 10th Street and N Avenue, and end at Causland Park. Line up on O Avenue at 10:00am. Look for our banner. Parade starts 11:00am – Picnic in the Park until 7:00pm. Click Here for more information.
5. NEW – 2022 Golden Tennis Shoe Awards
“U.S. Sen. Patty Murray will host her 27th Annual Golden Tennis Shoe Awards noon on Friday, June 17, at the Washington State Convention Center. Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama is set to join her and speak. Purchase tickets HERE.”
6. The 10th Legislative District Democrats General Membership Meeting, Saturday, Jun 18, 10:00am via Zoom
Click Here to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
7. NEW – Meet 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul and Candidate Clyde Shavers, Thursday, Jun 23, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, 14793 Gibralter Road, Anacortes
Hosted by Dan and Shay Schual-Berke. RSVP shayschualberke@gmail.com. “Ample parking across the street. Those with mobility issues should park in our driveway. Light refreshments will be served . . . Donations greatly appreciated.”
8. UPDATED – Washington State Democratic Convention
“Join us for our party’s annual convention June 24-25 at the Tacoma Convention Center. The Gala will be on the evening of the 25th. Attendees will hear from many remarkable local and national Democratic leaders. Click Here to register for the Gala. Click Here for registration and meal packages.
9. UPDATED – Anacortes 2022 4th of July Parade – Call for Volunteers to walk the parade
This year, Skagit County Democrats and Fidalgo Democrats will walk together in the Anacortes 4th of July Parade. This is a call for our members and families/friends to participate in this event on Monday, Jul 4. Parade begins at 11:00am from the location of 3rd Street and Commercial Avenue. We will assemble at 10:00am. We will have our banner, flags and some signs. Feel free to bring your own. Candidates may bring your signs. Wear your red, white and blue! This is an important opportunity for Democrats to show our strength and unity as we approach the November elections. Please RSVP your intention to walk the parade by emailing Charles Ivory, cmivory69@gmail.com.
IN ADDITION: “On July 4, after walking with Skagit Democrats in the Anacortes Parade in the morning, carpool down to Arlington and support Clyde Shavers in the afternoon. The Arlington Parade starts at 4 pm. Let us know you are coming and bring your patriotic smile! https://clydeshavers.com/.”
10. NEW – The 39th Legislative Democrats will NOT be meeting in June
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. NEW – A message from Skagit County Democrats Chair, Lynn Campbell
“How can anyone argue that the right to own an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle is more important than the lives of our children? How many innocent beautiful children must die before Republicans finally stand up to the gun lobby?
Why are these tragic massacres allowed to continue? We all know the names of these continuing, horrible tragedies: Columbine, Sandy Hook, Buffalo and Uvalde. And so many, many more! Young people now are more likely to die from firearms than from any other cause. This must end!
Sane, reasonable measures are so obvious: background checks, waiting periods, restrictions on magazine sizes, and a ban on private ownership of weapons of war such as the AR-15 (which greatly increase the damage inflicted by mass murderers).
Assault weapons were banned for a time in the 1990s but the hard truth is that this occurred because white politicians in America were terrified by the rise of crack cocaine and assault weapons used by black gang members. Now that white men are killing with the same type of weapons, such urgency to act is sadly lacking.
Fortunately, Democratic leaders in our state have passed some of the strongest laws in the nation to combat gun violence, including background checks on sales of guns, a ban on high-capacity magazines and preventing people younger than 21 from buying semi-automatic guns such as the AR-15.
These are important measures to protect the safety of our state, but we must do much more! There are discussions now in Congress on gun control, but Republicans are opposing many needed and sane ways to protect our children and our nation. The GOP, beholden to the lobbying of the NRA, would rather suggest ridiculous responses, such as arming our teachers.
Many in Skagit County own guns. The vast majority are responsible gun owners. Effective gun laws are intended to prevent violent unstable people from getting their hands on guns. Most Americans, and I suspect most Skagitonians, support responsible, sane gun laws.
What can you do? Call your members of Congress to demand immediate and effective laws to control weapons of war such as the AR-15. Support only candidates who will agree to sane gun control. This madness must be stopped! Together we can make a difference.”
14. 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.
- The One Witness at the January 6 Hearing Who Matters Most
- The ‘mortality gap’ between Republican and Democratic counties is widening, study says
- “Times That Try Men’s Souls”
- The New Energy Order – How Governments Will Transform Energy Markets
- The Next Challenge for Solid-State Batteries? Making Lots of Them
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Swinomish Pride Parade, Thursday, Jun 16, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Parade begins at 5:30pm. “The route starts at La Conner schools and ends with a gathering at the John K. Ball Park on the Swinomish Reservation. All are welcome to watch or join. For those who would like to participate, vehicle line up starts at 5 p.m. at La Conner High School.” Click Here for a map of the parade route.
2. NEW – Berry Dairy Days, Friday – Sunday, Jun 17 – 19, downtown Burlington
Click Here for the event and venue schedule. The Grand Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Jun 18, 11:00am – 12:00pm through historic downtown Burlington. Most events are free.
3. NEW – Monday, Jun 20, is the observed Juneteenth Holiday – expect Federal, State, and County office closures
Click Here for more information on this holiday.
4. Schools are closing this month! Watch for the kiddos running around out there! Here is the scheduled “Last Day of School” list
- Anacortes – Tuesday, June 21 – Half Day for Pre-K-11
- Burlington-Edison – Thursday, June 16 – Student Half Day
- Concrete – Monday, June 13 – Students excused 10:00am
- Conway – Wednesday, June 15 – Early out, noon
- La Conner – Monday, June 13 – Early Release
- Mount Vernon – Friday, June 17 – Early Release-2 hrs
- Sedro-Woolley, Friday, June 17 – No early release
5. NEW – Skagit County Rental Assistance Program
“Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented number of households being behind on rent. In response to this need, federal, state and local policy makers have appropriated rent assistance to pay back rent, utilities, and some future rent to help people stay housed. Here in Skagit County, over $21 million dollars has been allocated to this effort to prevent evictions. Since August 2020, 700 households have been provided assistance through this effort.” Click Here for more information including eligibility and application requirements.
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. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Jun 8
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.”