News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on July 30th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 31, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOTS ARE DUE TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
1. Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates for the August 1 Primary Election
The following candidates and positions have been approved for endorsement by the Skagit County Democrats:
Hannah Oliver – Sedro-Woolley School Board
Paul Cocke – Sedro-Woolley City Council
Ashley Gregorious – Hospital District 304 Board
Celia Ponce Sanchez – Burlington School Board
2. August 1st Primary Election Information (Taken from the Skagit County Auditor's Elections website)
The below is the Primary Election timeline:
- July 12 – Domestic ballots mailed
- July 18 – Official Logic & Accuracy test – 10:00 AM
- July 24 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
- August 1 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
- August 1 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
- August 8 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
- August 15 – Primary Election Certification – 1:30 PM
Below is a listing of the current Ballot Drop-Box Locations – Drop-box pickup will start Jul 17. (NOTE: Not all boxes will be open for every election. Boxes open for each election will be listed on the information wrap in your ballot packet. All locations that will be open for an election are open 20 days before Election Day and remain open 24 hours a day until 8:00PM Election Night.)
- Anacortes
- Anacortes Public Library (behind library near drive-up book-drop), 1220 10th Street
- Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way
- Bow Edison
- Fire District 5 Fire Station, 14304 West Bow Hill Rd
- Burlington
- Burlington Parks and Recreation Building (north side of Fairhaven Ave parking lot), 900 East Fairhaven Street
- Concrete
- Skagit Upriver Services, 45770 Main South
- Mount Vernon
- Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place
- Skagit County Auditor's Office [Courthouse] (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd Street near Kincaid), 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
- Sauk-Suiattle
- 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
- Sedro-Woolley
- Sedro-Woolley Post Office (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf), 111 Woodworth Street
3. NEW – URGENT: THIS MONDAY, July 31 is the Deadline to Submit the WA State Democrats' 2024 Priorities Survey! (Click Here.)
"So far, not many people have submitted the 2024 WA State Democrats' Priorities Survey. If you haven't yet, please fill out the survey TODAY, ahead of this Monday's deadline. This information is critically important in helping our State Party to set its priorities for the coming year and move that agenda forward. I worked hard with the Advocacy Committee on creating this survey, and I'm very hopeful more people will fill it out and submit it today, as the deadline for submitting the survey is this Monday, July 31. Thanks so much!
Sharon Abreu, State Committee Member for San Juan County; Member, Advocacy Committee of the WA State Democrats"
4. Skagit County Fair, Aug 9 – 12
"The Skagit County Fair is less than a month away, and it's time to sign up to volunteer at our table. If you love meeting new people, looking at art, and petting animals, the fair is the place for you. We have 3 4-hour shifts all 4 days of the fair that need to be filled. We will provide training, day passes to the fair, and nice cold water for volunteers. If you have any questions, please reach out to Hannah at Hannah.Marie.Oliver@gmail.com or 360-421-7570. Click here to sign up for shifts August 9-12th."
5. Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities
Skagit County Democrats are looking for individuals to fill the following leadership and volunteer opportunities.
- Annual Gala Event Committee Chair
- The annual Gala event, scheduled for June 2024, at the Swinomish Casino is THE major fundraising event for the Skagit County Democrats. Planning is started, and a committee is in place, but a committee chair is needed to lead the planning for this event. The Chair must be able to work collaboratively with other committee members, vendors, local party leadership, and the community. The committee chair must be prepared to engage the broad diversity within our community and our organization. Experience with event planning would be very helpful. If you are interested in this opportunity to serve the community in the very important 2024 election year, please contact Skagit County Democrats Chair, Lynn Campbell at chair@skagitdemocrats.org.
- Fundraising Committee Chair
- The Fundraising Committee focuses on other fundraising opportunities in addition to the Annual Gala. Creative thinking and a willingness to explore new opportunities is critical to the success of this committee. The chair role requires the ability to work collaboratively with other committee members, and local party leadership. Contact Skagit County Democrats Chair, Lynn Campbell, at chair@skagitdemocrats.org for more information and to discuss this opportunity.
- Finance Committee Member
- The Finance Committee is looking for individuals to join our committee as we manage and safeguard the financial resources of the local party. The Treasurer, the Committee Chair, and other members are ready to welcome your insights and suggestions as we develop and manage the financial controls and processes of our organization. For more information and to discuss this opportunity please contact Finance Committee Chair, Curt Huber, at finance@skagitdemocrats.org.
6. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats host the Summer Picnic and Membership Meeting, Sunday, Aug 27, 12:00pm – 3:00pm, Hillcrest Park, 1717 South 13th Street, Mount Vernon
Mark your calendar! "Bring you family, friends, and pups for a fun-filled day in the park. Food and drinks will be provided." Click Here to RSVP.
7. 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.
- They put food on our tables but live in the shadows. This man is fighting to be seen
- America's farms are desperate for labor. Foreign workers bring relief and controversy
- How Native American police are fighting the crisis of missing people
- Hanford site WA vit plant melter heated to 2,100 degrees
- Retirement feels out of reach for many, poll finds. Washington residents weigh in
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Walking Together in Remembrance, Sunday, Aug 6, 10:00am, Bellingham Theater Guild parking lot, 1600 H Street, Bellingham
"On August 6th C2C will be publicly recognizing the anniversary of the passing of farmworker Honesto Silva Ibarra, who died due to heat stress and wildfire smoke in Whatcom County in 2017. It is also Hiroshima Remembrance Day . . . This event is a collaboration between Community to Community Development, Nikkei Northwest, the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, Whiteswan Environmental, and Northwest Youth Services . . . Parking has been offered for this event by the Theater Guild (thank you!) Bring a picnic lunch to continue community conversation on the library lawn following the walk. For more information contact c2cinfo@foodjustice.org\."
2. NEW – The Anacortes Arts Festival, Aug 4 – 6, Friday and Saturday, 10:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am – 5:00pm, downtown Anacortes
"The Festival stretches down Commercial Ave from 10th Street all the way to the Port dock on the Guemes Channel waterfront. Along that route, you’ll get to experience Booth Artisans, Main, Jazz and Waterfront Stages, three Beer and Wine Gardens, Food trucks and vendors, a Kids Discovery Area, Artists Demonstrating their craft, AND Arts at the Port Fine Art Show on the dock. And it’s free…"
3. NEW – The Stanwood-Camano Community Fair, Friday – Sunday, Aug 4 – 6, 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood
The Stanwood-Camano Rotary Club sponsors the annual parade through downtown Stanwood. The parade is Saturday, Aug 5 and starts at 11:00am.
4. NEW – Proposed Washington State changes to refinery safety regulations open for public comment
"Take Action! The WA Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has formally proposed its updated refinery safety regulations for public comment. Your comments are needed to ensure that strong rules are adopted and put in place by the agency and are not weakened by the oil industry’s influence in this rulemaking. Your comments must be received by L&I before 5:00 p.m. on August 24th.
The rules are Washington’s response to the deadly incident in 2010 at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes that took the lives of 7 working men and women. In 1998 an Anacortes refinery incident took the lives of 6 workers. The new rules require implementation of safety measures.
The effects of refinery explosions, fires, toxic releases and oil spills do not stop at refinery fence lines. In addition to taking lives, the Anacortes incidents devastated the lives of victims’ families, co-workers and first responders. Please see the links below for talking points, public hearing dates and more. ReSources in Bellingham is hosting a Webinar on August 9 to help people comment on these rules – link is also below. Your comments will make a difference – you can help protect us all. Thank you!
- Comment letters: https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/take-action/actions/7160/?emci=1e4e5e67-7925-ee11-a9bb-00224832eb73&emdi=06a71d55-4d26-ee11-a9bb-00224832eb73&ceid=28846479
- August 9 ReSources webinar: https://zoom.us/j/87947049101?pwd=ejNaTy9VMWp4Qk9wR0lyc2xKS1ROUT09#success
- Two in person hearings in Bellingham August 10 and August 17th at 10:00am, Four Points Sheraton, Fairhaven Room, 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham
- Electronic and telephonic hearing, August 15 at 1:30 p.m., Click Here to join electronically. (Password (if prompted): PSM@1230)
5. NEW – Skagit County is extending it’s comment period for the proposed agritourism code changes to August 17, 2023
"All comments must be received by Thursday, August 17, 2023, 4:30 p.m. and include your full name and mailing address. Comments not meeting these requirements will not be considered. The Staff Report, SEPA and supporting documents for this proposal can be viewed on our website at: Skagit County Agritourism."
6. NEW – Skagit Food Coop's Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary), Wednesday, Aug 9, 4:00pm – 8:00pm, Skagit Riverwalk, Mount Vernon
"Put on your party hat and dancing shoes to join us in celebrating the Co-op’s 50th Anniversary on the Magic Skagit! Our Golden Jubilee will be a jolly good time with local food, drinks, live music, amazing prizes and family-friendly fun: tie-dying with Tri-Dee Arts and face painting by Contours FX. Bring a friend, bring a chair, and we’ll see you there!"
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Progressive folks regularly demonstrate each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. While this is not an official Skagit County Democrats activity, turnout is encouraged.
2. UPDATED – Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
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 led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. 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 $.51. 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."