News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on April 7th, 2024
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for April 8, 2024
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. UPDATED – The Fidalgo Democrats meet Tuesday, Apr 9, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"Fidalgo Democrats have invited our 10th and 40th District Legislators to give us an overview of the recently completed Legislative Session. They will update us on important bills that passed and budget items vital to our area. They will share other issues that will need to be brought up in 2025."
2. UPDATED – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board will NOT meet Thursday, Apr 11
3. The Skagit County Democrats Membership will meet Saturday, Apr 13, 10:00am – 12:00pm, via Zoom OR in-person, C2C Community Center, 224 Stewart Road (turns into Hoag Road east of Riverside Drive), Mount Vernon
We will be holding early endorsements as well as speakers. All non-English speaking Democrats are encouraged to attend and become a part of democracy.
This Membership meeting will be a HYBRID meeting. PLEASE NOTE LOCATION OF IN-PERSON VENUE. This will be a busy meeting, and we must start promptly at 10:00 a.m. If you choose the Zoom alternative, we ask that you log on no later than 9:45 a.m. Click Here for the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 892 5123 8466
Passcode: 362387).
Also, if you intend to join the Zoom meeting, we ask that you ensure your Zoom client is up to date. Click Here for easy-to-follow instructions on how to update the Zoom client.
4. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Monday, Apr 15, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.
5. NEW – Tax Day to Earth Day Rally, Monday, Apr 15, 4:30pm – 6:00pm, Wall Street, between Wetmore and Oakes Avenues, Everett
"Join No More Bombs and Washington Against Nuclear Weapons, (WANW), for a Tax Day rally and meeting with [2nd Congressional District] Representative Rick Larsen’s Aid (Casey Ryan) in Everett. We want tax dollars spent on social and environmental needs, not warfare and nuclear weapons. This is part of a state-wide effort." Click Here for more information.
6. NEW – The 40th Legislative District Democrats will conduct a General Membership meeting, Sunday Apr 21, 10:00am, via Zoom
"The Zoom link will be sent closer to the meeting . . . We will consider EARLY ENDORSEMENT of Democrat Incumbents. As approved by the Executive Board, this includes all the 40th LD Legislators and our CD 2 Congressional Representative. At this Spring General Membership meeting we will also consider Resolutions submitted to the Executive Board by April 14 . . . Additionally, we will discuss the Platform amendments to be considered by the Convention Delegation."
Also, please note regarding Delegate selection: "LD 40 is actually just below the number of candidates to require an election for delegates, and as such all delegates who pledged to Joseph R. Biden will be seated at the conclusion of the election process this weekend, so no balloting or further action is necessary . . ."
7. The Janet St. Clair for State Senate campaign is recruiting volunteers
"Our campaign will be beginning a small field effort in the precincts of the 10th LD in Skagit and Snohomish County where Janet has never been on the ballot. We'll largely be gathering information about what voters already know and what issues they care about. We are looking for willing members of Skagit Dems to assist in that effort in the Skagit County 10th LD precincts starting as soon as possible next month. If they want to branch out to Snohomish as well, we'll certainly take the help." Click Here to register as a volunteer for Janet's campaign.
8. UPDATED – Gala News
Mark your calendar – this year's Gala will be Saturday, June 1 at the Swinomish Lodge and Casino.
This year's theme is "Preserving Democracy Together". Begin thinking about items for the Live and Silent Auctions. Click Here for Auction Items DOs and DON'Ts. Click Here for some ideas for baskets and other auction items ideas. We will be accepting donations for the Gala until May 5.
9. UPDATED – Sad News
Glenn Bordner recently passed away. Glenn was a past Chair and Vice Chair of the Skagit County Democrats. He was quite active, even after, that as a Chair and Volunteer of several of our Galas. Glenn did a lot of work at our Headquarters Office on 1st Street. He was one of those people who would see something that needed to be done and just got it done. He never sought approbation, just put his head down and worked for the organization. Glenn was also an active Union man and supported labor at all levels. And on top of that, Glenn was simply a genuinely nice man. Glenn’s memorial will be Friday, Apr 26, 11:00am, Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 North Laventure Road, Mount Vernon. Cards may be sent to Glenn and Teddie Bordner, 2910 Iroquois Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Click Here for Glenn's obituary.
10. 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.
- Biden says U.S. economy is world’s best. Trump calls it a ‘cesspool.’ Data is clear
- What Liberals Get Wrong About ‘White Rural Rage’ — Almost Everything
- Customer Tips Are Providing the Lion’s Share of Wages to Tipped Workers
- How Have Firearm Death Rates Changed, and How Do State Gun Laws Affect These Trends?
- See the New Spaceship-Like Plane That a Startup Wants to Certify by 2030
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs throughout April
This week's activities include:
- Tulip Town "Locals Night", Wednesday, Apr 10, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, 15160 Bradshaw Road, Mt Vernon – "Free entrance into Tulip Town for Skagit County & Island County residents (be prepared to show proof of address)." Click Here for more information.
- 30th Annual Skagit County Fairgrounds Spring Garage Sale, Friday, Apr 12 and Saturday, Apr 13, 9:00am – 4:00pm, Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon – Admission: $5.00 12 and Under Free. Parking: on site – $5.00. Over 190 Vendors! Hand Crafted Items! Great Food! Great Music!
- PACCAR Technical Center Open House, Saturday, Apr 13, 11:00am – 3:00pm, PACCAR Technical Center, 12479 Farm to Market Rd, Mt Vernon – Admission: Free. "Our 375-acre site provides test and development for PACCAR divisions, including Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks. The tour highlights test labs and trucks manufactured by PACCAR. Come see our trucks and how we test them!"
2. East Skagit County Community Resource Fair, Monday, Apr 8, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad Street, Concrete
Click Here for more information.
3. NEW – Job Opportunity
We received a request to circulate the following:
"We at Underground Ministries have been growing quickly here in Mount Vernon, serving gang-affected men and women as they release from incarceration and reintegrate in the wider community. We work inside [the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church], and created a joint front-desk position that combines administrative tasks for both the church and Underground Ministries. We are looking for someone who speaks conversational Spanish, but more importantly, someone who comes from the lived experience of Latinx-American community members here in Skagit, as we integrate our missions and blend communities with this role." Click Here for the position description. Please contact Chris Hoke (chris@undergroundministries.org), for more information.
4. NEW – Washington Adds new Worker Protection Laws, Including ban on Mandatory Anti-Union Meetings
Click Here for more information.
5. NEW – Ovenell Road to be Closed for Daytime Repairs Apr 9 and 10 at Farm To Market Road
"Ovenell Road, at Farm To Market Road, will be closed for repairs on Tuesday, April 9th and Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Skagit County Public Works crews will be replacing a culvert and conducting other road repairs at the intersection. Access will be restored each evening . . . Drivers will need to access the Skagit County Recycling and Transfer Station along with neighboring businesses from the east on Ovenell Road via Higgins Airport Way during the closures. The road will be closed to all vehicles, including Emergency Response vehicles. The Detour Route will be Farm To Market Road, Josh Wilson Road, and Higgins Airport Way for both directions."
6. Skagit Transit Long-Range Transit Plan
"Skagit Transit is starting a process to develop a Long-Range Transit Plan. The plan will identify ways to improve current bus service and opportunities over the next 10 – 15 years both within Skagit County and in serving regional destinations. This presents Skagit Transit with an opportunity to evaluate and update our services and network to respond to the needs in our community. We welcome your participation! Stop by an open house, take our survey, and/or include your vision for Skagit Transit in our interactive map tool." Click Here for the Skagit Transit webpage describing the program and dates/venues for participation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. 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 $.53. 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."
2. 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.