News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on January 1st, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for January 2, 2023
Happy New Year!
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. The Skagit County Democrats Reorganization Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Jan 7, 2023 at 10:00am, Skagit PUD Building, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount VernonMasks are mandated at all times except while a recognized speaker is addressing the room. Please note, only elected Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) are eligible to vote for the new Executive Board. All members may run if they choose, and they may provide comments. At the end of the meeting, we will all vote on a Resolution presented by our two Current State Committee Representatives. For the Resolution vote only, all members in good standing, PCOs and the Executive Board members are eligible to vote on the Resolution. Nominations will be taken from the floor. If no other person runs against a candidate, then that candidate automatically wins by acclamation. Rules for the Reorganization Meeting may be found in our By-Laws (Click Here) under Article 11.
2. The 40th Legislative District Democrats Reorganization Meeting is planned for Sunday, Jan 8, 2023, 10:00am – 12:00pm
We have not received any information on the venue.
3. UPDATED – The Fidalgo Democrats will meet Tuesday, Jan 10, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"Please join us for our first in-person meeting since March 2020. We will be meeting in the Anacortes Library . . . Coffee and cookies! We do ask that all who attend in person be fully vaccinated. Masks will be required. Covid, colds and flu are still out there. If you aren’t vaccinated or are feeling unwell, please stay home. The meeting will be recorded and posted on YouTube a little later in the week.
. . . Our topic for this meeting covers property taxes and how they are administered. Newly elected Skagit County Assessor, Danny Hagen will be the presenter. His message: I will be presenting on property tax, how it is administered in the State of Washington, and what that means for residents of Anacortes and the rest of Skagit County. Transparency, accountability, and equity are all things tax payers should expect out of our tax systems and property tax delivers in all three of those areas. I look forward to presenting on these topics and then taking any questions from the crowd"
4. The 39th Legislative District Democrats Reorganization Meeting is planned for Sunday, Jan 15, 2023, 10:30am via Zoom
Click Here to register to attend. "Reminder only elected PCO's for the 2023-2024 term can vote on the executive positions and bylaws. However, any member in good standing can run for any office and provide amendments."
5. NEW – Skagit County Democrats collaborate with Indivisible Skagit to share Take Action Network (TAN), a great tool for legislative action
"Join Take Action Network (TAN) . . . TAN makes it easy to track bills you care about, write your legislators, sign in for hearings all from your own home. Get daily Take Action alerts. Make your voice heard in Olympia! Here’s what one happy IndiSkagit TAN user says: 'I love it! I just sit down at the computer after dinner and spend about 15 minutes taking actions on bills that make a difference. It’s easy and so satisfying!'”
6. Skagit Democrats Spring Fling Event changed
Our Outreach Committee has reviewed your responses to the Spring Fling survey and as a result will change the date to a summer/fall celebration. This will allow for an outdoor event. We will also be able to expand the event to include family, and organizations supportive of Skagit County Democrats who were integral to our 2022 success. More information will follow as planning progresses. Please be sure to share your thoughts about what you would like our event to look like. Send your responses to Charles Ivory at cmivory69@gmail.com. As always, thank you for your support.
7. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters is closed Monday, Jan 2, 2023
Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023.
8. Skagit County Democrats is again requesting anyone visiting our Headquarters to "mask up"
Skagit County is experiencing a resurgence in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19. As a result, our local emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and walk-in clinics are severely strained, and many have reached full capacity. Dr. Leibrand, Skagit County Health Officer, stated: "I recommend that everyone wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others in indoor spaces to protect yourself and others". Click Here for more information. Our Headquarters Office has masks in stock and available for visitors.
9. 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.
- Washington state senators file constitutional amendment doubling down on protected abortion rights
- How much will Washington's new minimum wage impact the economy?
- Islam and the Case Against Cultural Amnesia
- People in Republican Counties Have Higher Death Rates Than Those in Democratic Counties
- Putin’s Last Stand – The Promise and Peril of Russian Defeat
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – The League of Women Voters of Washington, present ACTviaZoom sessions weekly, Mondays, 10:00am – 11:00am, from Monday, Jan 2 through Monday, Apr 24
These weekly sessions provide "information/question/answer session using League, State and Community resources who bring the background informa2on you need on topics related to current WA State Legislation." Register for ACTviaZoom HERE. Subscribe to Legislative Action Newsletter HERE. Contact host Carol Sullivan with further questions: csullivan@lwvwa.org.
2. Guemes Island Ferry Public Open House, Tuesday, Jan 3, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon
"Skagit County Public Works is proposing adjustments to ferry fares in 2023. A consulting firm, KPFF Consulting Engineers, has been hired to provide services for a rate study for the Guemes Island Ferry system. The study—which is scheduled to begin in January 2023—will evaluate the current fare structure and make recommendations for rate adjustments planned for 2023. Skagit County seeks to implement electronic fare collection by the end of 2023. Recommendations of the study will consider and prioritize the future of fare collection . . . A virtual option is also available for those who would like to participate. Use the following link to log into the meeting: https://bit.ly/SkagitBoCCMtg."
3. 2023 Legislative Send-Off, Thursday Jan 5, 2023, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Burlington City Hall, 833 South Spruce Street, Burlington
The Skagit County Chambers will be hosting the legislators from the 10th, 39th, and 40th districts for the annual Legislative Send-Off. Each legislator will share his or her priorities and expectations for the upcoming session. The audience will then have the opportunity to ask questions of the legislators. This is a FREE event to the Public. Registration is encouraged but not required to attend (Click Here). There will also be a view-only zoom link available.
4. The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Jan 7, 2023, 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.
5. COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Testing Site at Cascade Mall closed at the end of December.
Click Here for the most current report and resources.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Democrats are again demonstrating in Anacortes each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue. "We carry signs for Dem candidates, get out and vote signs, women's right-to-chose in healthcare and so on and so on. We need more people to show up."
2. UPDATED – Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
ATTENTION: Coffee & Cards will resume Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023.
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now lead quite capably by Judy Farrar. The group 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 $.44. 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, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."