News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on August 6th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for August 7, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board meets Thursday, Aug 10, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link. Although only Executive Board members may vote, all members are welcome to attend.
2. Skagit County Fair, Aug 9 – 12
"The Skagit County Fair is THIS WEEK, 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."
There are still slots open that need to be filled!
3. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Saturday, Aug 19, 10:00am via Zoom
The Zoom link is not yet available.
4. 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.
5. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats will NOT meet in August.
6. NEW – 2nd Congressional District Representative Rick Larsen announces 2023 Congressional App Challenge
"Rep. Rick Larsen announced the launch of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) this week. The annual competition, which runs through Nov. 1, is open to high school and middle school students who live in or attend school in Washington's 2nd Congressional District. The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for students to create programs or apps for any platform, including desktop/PC, web and mobile, to collaborate, invent and learn coding and computer science skills. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four. Students can only enter the competition once." Click Here for more information. Click Here for the CAC website.
7. 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.
8. 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.
- Read the Trump Indictment
- ‘Even more insidious than the NRA’ – US gun lobby group gains in power
- Welcome to the Dollar War — the global battle that will decide the fate of America's economy
- Dismantling the myth that ancient slavery 'wasn’t that bad'
- Superconductor Breakthrough Findings Replicated, Twice, in Preliminary Testing
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. The 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!"
2. NEW – Stuff The Bus Diaper Drive, Thursday, August 10, 10:00am – 6:00pm at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, Cleveland Street entrance, 1401 Cleveland Avenue, Mount Vernon
Bring a pack of diapers for 1 free admission or give a $10 Donation.
3. 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 rule-making. 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!
- Public Hearing in Anacortes, August 16, 6:30pm (prehearing overview 5:30), Majestic Inn & Spa, 419 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
- Comment letters: Blue Green Alliance
- August 9 ReSources webinar: Click Here to register
- 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)
4. Skagit County is extending its 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."
5. NEW – Concrete Cascade Days, Friday & Saturday, Aug 18 & 19, Veterans Memorial Park, Main Street, Community Center, & Silo Park, Concrete
Click Here for more information including schedule of activities.
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. 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."