News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for November 6, 2023

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Skagit Democrats Election Night Party, Tuesday, Nov 7, 6:00pm – 9:00pm, District Brewing, 520 Main Street, Mount Vernon
When you get there, head upstairs for pizza and celebration!

2. The next Skagit County Democrats Executive Board Meeting is Thursday, Nov 9, 6:30pm via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link. Although only Executive Board officers may vote, all members are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting.

3. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats will meet Tuesday, Nov 14, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"We have invited the Democratic Legislators from the 40th and 10th Districts to talk about the upcoming legislative session and what they hope to accomplish. There will be time for questions. For more information contact Barbara Cooper, 360-770-3506."

4. NEW – Messages from our Skagit County Democrats Outreach Committee
DEM VOLUNTEER REGOGNITION A GREAT SUCCESS

Many thanks are extended to all who worked to make the September 23 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon the great success that it was. The effort of Outreach Committee members, and so many others is truly appreciated. There was a FULL buffet of food choices, live music entertainment, and the opportunity to network with friends. Volunteers are the heart of the Skagit County Democrats and there is not enough that could be said about the appreciation felt by all for the commitment of our volunteers to advance the Democrat agenda. As we approach a contentious 2024 national election, our volunteer efforts will be more important than ever to protect our democratic rights from assault by the Republican agenda. As our volunteers are tirelessly working to support our endorsed candidates for the 2023 election, we will need to continue our efforts to forge a strong front moving forward.

Thank you, everyone for sharing time together on September 23. Volunteers RULE. And GOOD LUCK to ALL of our 2023 candidates. YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT AND VOTES.

MOUNT VERNON HOLIDAY PARADE

This year, Skagit County Democrats will again walk in the Mount Vernon Holiday Parade. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 3, 5:00PM to 6:00PM. We will gather at 4:15PM in the area of the current library located at 315 Snoqualmie Street where it intersects Cleveland Avenue. We do not yet know our position in the parade line up, so you may need to search a bit; we will check in at the library corner to be sure to find everyone. This is an event that shines the light on Skagit County Democrats and provides an opportunity for us to be visible to the people we support. Our experience has been positive with citizens applauding our presence in the parade. We encourage you to bring your friends and families. Children are especially welcome!

Skagit County Democrats will again distribute 400 small flags to children along the parade route. This year we are seeking a truck/classic car/other vehicle type to accompany us. If you are willing to participate with your vehicle we would like to talk with you.

Please email Charles Ivory, Outreach Committee chairperson, cmivory69@gmail.com, to let us know to expect you at the parade and to let us know if you have a vehicle you could drive in the parade. The Holiday Parade is about LIGHT, so bring whatever lights you may have to light our way. The parade lasts only one hour, so please join us in this community event!

5. Legislative Committee Request
The Legislative Committee has been meeting to discuss priorities for the 2024 legislative session and would like your help encouraging our representatives to pursue the creation of bills that reflect our values as Democrats.

HB 1389 and SB 5435 Concerning residential rent increases under the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act
We want to see HB 1389 reintroduced and passed in the 2024 state legislative session. This bill is intended to protect renters against predatory landlords by keeping rent increases in line with inflation up to a maximum of 7% annually. With the housing shortages we’re seeing in Skagit County, it is easy to see how competition can drive prices too high and push families out of their homes. There is really no need for landlords to increase rent more than 7% per year. Write to your legislator and ask them to support the reintroduction of HB 1389.

Contact your representative by clicking here (HB1389) or clicking here (SB 5435).

Recommended text: "I would like to see HB1389 / SB5435 reintroduced and passed in the 2024 state legislative session. This bill is intended to protect renters against predatory landlords by keeping rent increases in line with inflation up to a maximum of 7% annually. With the housing shortages we’re seeing in Skagit County, it is easy to see how competition can drive prices too high and push families out of their homes. There is really no need for landlords to increase rent more than 7% per year. Please support this bill and help your constituents."

Create a Gas Profit Cap to prevent price gouging
A gas profit cap would limit the profit margin of gas and diesel fuel sold in the state of Washington and return all excess profits to the people of Washington state through a yearly dividend payment. Fuel companies have seen an opportunity to price gouge the people of Washington well in excess of the recently enacted cap and invest costs that apply to fuel in our state. California has already enacted similar legislation and we should streamline the process they created for our own state. This will protect consumers from corporate greed.

Contact your representative to recommend such a bill. You can find your representatives at the League of Women Voters list of elected officials (Click Here).

Recommended text: "Please develop a gas profit cap in the state of Washington to protect consumers from price gouging. The recent cap and invest program in Washington have been seen as an opportunity by oil companies to price gouge residents well in excess of the cost for that program. It is time we create a program like this one https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320241SB2 but more streamlined. Let's return excess profits to the residents of Washington as a yearly dividend payment. This will protect consumers from corporate greed."

6. November 7 General Election Information
THE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN MAILED! Ballots are due November 7

Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates

• Ashley Gregorious, Hospital Commission District 304
• Mary Hudson, Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 3
• 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
• Hannah Oliver, Sedro Woolley School Board
• Celia Ponce Sanchez, Burlington-Edison School Board

Skagit County Democrats Recommended Candidates

• Heather Brennan, Anacortes School Board
• Bonnie Bowers, Anacortes Port Commissioner, Position 4
• TJ Fantini, Anacortes City Council, Position 3, Ward 3
• Laura Flores Cailloux, Mount Vernon School Board
• Christina Jepperson, Sedro-Woolley School Board

Skagit County Auditor's Office

• Phone: 360-416-1702
• Email: scelections@co.skagit.wa.us
• Mail: P.O. Box 1306, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
• Website: www.skagitcounty.net/elections

Ballot Drop-Box Locations (open for this election)

• 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 Street
• Conway
  • Conway Fire Department, 21020 Greenfield Street
• Hamilton
  • Fire District 8/Punkin Center Station, 34041 State Route 20
• La Conner
  • La Conner Regional Library, 614 East Morris Street
• Mount Vernon
  • Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place
  • Skagit County Auditor's Office [Courthouse], (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd St. near Kincaid), 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
• Sauk-Suiattle
  • Sauk-Suiattle Reservation, 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
• Sedro-Woolley
  • Sedro-Woolley Post Office (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf), 111 Woodworth Street
• Swinomish
  • Social Services Building, 17337 Reservation Road

Below are significant dates concerning our General Election on Nov 7

• September 22 – Military and Overseas ballots mailed
• October 2 – Accessible Voting Unit test – 10:00 AM
• October 2 – Official Logic & Accuracy test – 1:00 PM
• October 18 – Domestic ballots mailed
• October 30 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
• November 7 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
• November 7 – General Election – Closes 8:00 PM
• November 21 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
• November 28 – General Election Certification – 1:30 PM

Felony Convictions and Voting Rights – Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a DOC sentence of total confinement in prison. Click Here for more information.

7. Theft of Campaign Signs
"Theft of campaign signs is a crime. A candidate has had their signs stolen 3 days in a row and other candidates are experiencing the same thing. If you have a tile, air tag, or other trackers, put them in/on your sign or put the signs in front of cameras (i.e., Ring doorbell cams). Write down a license plate if you see someone stealing a sign. Charges will be filed as the thief is quite literally stealing freedom of speech."

8. Skagit Democrats business emails to Lynn Campbell need to be addressed to: chair@skagitdemocrats.org
Lynn has requested that all emails addressed to her related to Skagit Democrats should be addressed to the above email address. This allows her to differentiate between personal business and Skagit Democrats business. In addition, it allows more appropriate sharing within the organization. Finally, it is consistent with our organization's commitment to Role-Based communication and management.

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.

• The Dysfunctional Superpower – Can a Divided America Deter China and Russia?
• Policies that reduce inter-generational poverty
• What the 2024 Election Is Really About for Trump Supporters
• Inside New Orleans’ struggle with facial-recognition policing
• Don’t be fooled: Net neutrality is about more than just blocking and throttling

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – November is National American Indian Heritage Month
Click Here for a listing of Native American Museums & Cultural Centers. The state of Washington celebrates Native American Heritage Day on the Friday immediately following the fourth Thursday in November (Nov 24).

2. NEW – Veteran's Day Events

• Burlington
  • Pancake Breakfast: 8-10am at the Burlington Community/Senior Center, Free to Military Veterans and by donation for all others
  • Military Display and Refreshments: 10am-12:30pm at the Burlington Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce
  • Veterans Day Parade and Heritage Plane Flyover: 11am on Fairhaven Ave in Downtown Burlington, Heritage Planes will fly over the parade route
  • Soup & Sandwich Luncheon: 12-1pm at the Burlington Community/Senior Center, Free to Military Veterans and by donation for all others
• Concrete Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Feed, Saturday, Nov 11, 8:00am to 11:00am, Concrete Fire Life Safety Facility, 45396 Main Street, Concrete

3. NEW – Childcare Cooperative Workshop, Saturday, Nov 18, 10:00am – 12:30pm, Multi-purpose Room, Skagit Valley College, 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon
"If you are: a parent, working family, Latinx community member, with childcare concerns, then come & learn how the cooperative model may help reduce costs . . . Free event with lunch provided by Cocina Sabores. To register, please contact Juan Morales – juan@agbizcenter.org or 360-770-0863." Click Here for the English language flyer. Click Here for the Spanish language flyer.

4. NEW – Skagit County Seeks Applicants for Housing Authority of Skagit County Board
"The Skagit County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for multiple open Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC) board seats from residents of Skagit County. Skagit County is looking for HASC commission members who will provide leadership and accountability and work proactively and collaboratively with the community as a key partner in addressing homelessness. HASC commission members serve staggered five-year terms." Letters of interest must be received no later than Friday, November 17, at 4:30pm. Click Here for more information.

5. NEW – The Dispute Resolution Center of Volunteers of America, Carnation Building, 117 North 1st Street, Mount Vernon, is recruiting for a Restorative Practice Practitioner
For additional information, contact Ambralee Faisy, Restorative Practice Practitioner, Dispute Resolution Center, Afaisy@voaww.org, 360-419-4462 Ext 1180, or 425-543-5658.

6. The Comment Period for the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement closes Monday, November 13

• Click Here to submit comments.
• Click Here for an article on the benefits of grizzly restoration.
• Click Here for a Public Comment Sample Letter.
• Click Here to comment on the 10(j) management plan.

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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."
 

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