News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on September 17th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for September 18, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
The Skagit County Democrats stand in solidarity with the UAW strike
1. NEW – Central Committee Meeting Guest Speakers Video
The Skagit County Democrats' Quarterly Central Committee and membership meeting was held on Saturday September 9th. We were joined by Port of Anacortes Commissioner Bonnie Bowers, Senator Patty Kuderer who is running for State Insurance Commissioner, and State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti. Click Here to watch a video of these three speakers.
2. SKAGIT COUNTY DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERS, Saturday, Sep 23
- 12Noon to 1:00PM, luncheon and networking.
- 1:00PM to 2:00PM, Live Music Entertainment.
- 2:00PM to 3:00PM Networking.
Call in your reservation at the Headquarters Office, 360-336-1555, and let us know what you plan to contribute to the covered dish luncheon. Location: Woodside Lodge, 330 South 48th Street, Mount Vernon. Lots of planning has gone into this celebration of the work of our Democrat volunteers. We hope to see you on Saturday, September 23!"
3. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats will host a Candidates Town Hall, Saturday, Oct 7, 3:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Conference Room, 2021 East College Way, Mount Vernon
Speakers will include:
- Lucy Madrigal, Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 1
- Andrew Vander Stoep, Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 2
- Paul Cocke, Sedro-Woolley City Council, Ward 5
- Ashley Gregorius, Hospital Commission, District 304
- Hannah Oliver, Sedro-Woolley School District 101 Director, District 3
"Join us for an engaging and informative Candidate Town Hall hosted by the Skagit County Democrats! Get ready to connect with our dedicated candidates, gain insights into their visions, and have your questions answered. It's your opportunity to be an informed voter! Don't miss out on this chance to actively participate in your community's democratic process. We can't wait to welcome you! Bring your friends along for a vibrant discussion. See you there!"
For those who plan to attend, 2021 East College Way is an office building set significantly back from the street. Our entrance faces the street on the east side of the building (next to the Munro's Driving Instruction Office). Our office is in the space previously occupied by Farmers Insurance. Click Here for a picture. To reach our Conference Room, enter the building and proceed down a long hall to a crossing hall. Turn left and proceed nearly to the end of that hall. Our Conference Room is on the left across from the restrooms. Our restrooms have a security keypad lock restricting access. The combination should be available from the meeting coordinators.
4. 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.
5. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats Anacortes Port Commissioner forum of Sep 12 is now available on YouTube
Click Here for the video.
6. NEW – The League of Women Voters of Skagit County has recently updated their listing of elected officials from national down to local offices
Click Here for the list.
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.
- The difference in how the wealthy make money—and pay taxes
- Sky-high CEO pay is in focus as UAW workers demand higher wages
- All Work and No Pay — Teachers' Perceptions of Their Pay and Hours Worked
- Despite good data, American attitudes about the economy remain gloomy
- The worst prediction in all of science
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Annual Garage Sale, Antiques, and More + Car Show, Friday & Saturday, Sep 22 & 23, 9:00am – 4:00pm, Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon
Admission – $5.00 (12 & under free). On-site parking at Taylor Street entrance – $5.
2. NEW – The 40th Annual Oyster Run is Sunday, Sep 24, Anacortes and neighboring communities
If you are out and about on this day, watch for lots of motorcycles and celebrants. This is a free event. No official starting point. No time schedule. No required route.
3. NEW – East County Community Meeting, Monday, Sep 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Concrete High School Commons, 7830 South Superior Avenue, Concrete
"The Skagit County Commissioners and representatives from Planning & Development Services, Public Health, Public Works, the Department of Emergency Management, Facilities Management, and the Sheriff's Office will be in attendance to respond to community questions. For more information about this meeting, please contact the Skagit County Commissioners’ Office at (360) 416-1300 or email jrogers@co.skagit.wa.us."
4. NEW – The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Oct 7, 11:00am – 12:00pm, on the sidewalk in front of the Mount Vernon Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
"Join our Mount Vernon supporters in a monthly rally outside of the health center. They meet every month rain or shine. Bring your Planned Parenthood Swag and signs, and there will be extras if you don't have one!" Bring your signs, your friends, and your family. Please Click Here to sign up for the rally.
5. NEW – Registration is open for Skagit Valley College Latino Leadership
"We are looking for the next group of students that are interested in enrolling into Latino Leadership Initiative! This is a leadership enrichment program that is open to SVC students and community members. It is an opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain awareness of the needs and issues facing the Latinx community, and develop a service project locally to practice leadership. The first day of the program will be on October 14, 9am-12pm . . . For more information, call or text Jorge Estefan at 360-421-9090, or send us an email to laura.cailloux@skagit.edu or kati.ortiz@skagit.edu."
6. Call for Applications for the Skagit County Planning Commission
Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 22, 2023 at 4:30pm. "Currently, there is a vacancy in District 1 on the Planning Commission. This call for applications is for residents who live in District 1 of Skagit County and would like to be considered for a seat on the Planning Commission. The new planning commissioner would fill the existing vacancy until the end of the term on August 31, 2024."
"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. The Planning Commission consists of nine members (three from each Commissioner District) and usually meets twice monthly in Mount Vernon at the Commissioners Administrative Building. Meetings are broadcast live on Skagit 21 and archived online. More information about the Planning Commission is available at: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningCommission." Click Here for more information.
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."