News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on August 11th, 2024
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for August 12, 2024
It is with great sorrow we report the passing of 2018 Skagit County Democrats Chair, Jeff Mount. Jeff passed away Monday, August 5. He had been dealing with an aggressive form of lymphoma. He passed away in Ohio visiting family. Click Here for his obituary.
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – Join the “Washingtonians for Harris-Walz” on-line event, Monday, Aug 12, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
" . . . [Join] an incredible virtual fundraiser on Monday, August 12th, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, benefiting both the Kamala Harris campaign and the Washington State Democrats. This event, “Washingtonians for Harris-Walz,” will feature a lineup of prominent leaders including Senator Maria Cantwell, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, WA Senator Drew Hansen, WA Representative Jamila Taylor, and more. Together, we’ll celebrate Vice President Harris' historic campaign and our shared commitment to electing Democrats up and down the ballot. Join us and hear from our amazing speakers about why this election is pivotal for our future." Click Here to register.
2. NEW – Cocktails & Conversation with 40th Legislative District Senator Liz Lovelett, Tuesday, Aug 13, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, at the home of Shay Schual-Berke (address provided upon RSVP)
RSVP to Liz@LizLovelett.org. Donate at https://www.lizlovelett.org/. Click Here for the flyer.
3. NEW – Island County Democrats Summer Fest 2024, Saturday, Aug 17, 3:00pm – 6:00pm, 4632 Tompkins Road, Langley
Wheelchair accessible. Free event. All Democrats welcome. Click Here for more information.
4. The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Aug 20, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.
5. The 39th Legislative District Democrats Membership Meeting will be conducted IN PERSON, Saturday, Aug 24, 10:00am – 11:00am, location to be determined
6. The Fidalgo Democrats will not meet in the month of August
The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, Sep 10.
7. The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board meeting is being rescheduled
No new date has yet been selected.
8. NEW – Volunteers needed to staff our Headquarters Office
If you would like to volunteer in the office by answering phones or questions that people may have, please sign up here.
9. Yard Sign Etiquette
As election season heats up, it is crucial to be mindful of proper yard sign etiquette to ensure we all show respect for our community while supporting our candidates. Here are some helpful do's and don'ts to keep in mind:
- DO:
- Place signs on your own property or with the permission of the property owner.
- Ensure signs are set back from roadways to avoid obstructing visibility or traffic.
- Remove signs within 10 days after the election, as required by RCW 29A.84.040.
- DON'T:
- Place signs on public property, such as parks, medians, and sidewalks, or private property without permission from the property owner.
- Block sidewalks, driveways, or other access points.
- Put signs in areas that violate local zoning laws or homeowner association rules.
10. PCO Recruitment
We need more PCOs for the 2022-2024 biennial to help us Get Out the Vote in this critical election year and to help us build a strong Skagit County and 10th, 39th, and 40th Legislative District Party Organizations. You can get involved in a big way by becoming a PCO.
- Step 1: Find Your Precinct. You can use the Skagit County iMap to find your precinct.
- Step 2: Check the list of vacant precincts.
- Step 3: Application: complete this form for Skagit County and email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.
11. Rocio Lopez is requesting assistance to attend the National Democratic Convention in Chicago
Rocio has been elected to be an At Large Delegate to the Convention, Aug 19 – 22. Click Here to see Rocio's GoFundMe page.
12. 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.
- 'Corporate Greed Is Out of Control': Warren Slams Kroger's AI Pricing Scheme
- Nurturing and Destroying Democracy: The Two Sides of Bangladesh's Ousted Awami League
- Arizona school voucher program causes budget meltdown
- What it means to have a ‘Black job’ in America
- Vance’s attacks on Walz’s service mirror 'swift boating' of 2004
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Cascade Days!, Friday & Saturday, Aug 16 & 17, Concrete
"The Cascade Days Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. [Saturday] and travels west to east on Main Street." The event includes the Car Show on Saturday in the Town Center. Free parking and shuttle services to events are available at the Concrete School District parking lot. Click Here for more information.
2. NEW – Applications Open for 3 Habitat Homes in La Conner
"Skagit Habitat for Humanity [has] just made applications available to the public on our website for 3 affordable homes in La Conner. We will select 3 Skagit County families who apply for our Homebuyer Program to partner with us to build and buy a home with a monthly mortgage payment that is less than or equal to 33% of their monthly household income. To qualify, applicants must have established Skagit County residency for at least a year and be able to demonstrate:
- Need – Applicants are paying 50% or more of family income toward rent or living in inadequate or substandard housing.
- Willingness to Partner – As part of the program the applicant must be willing to contribute 150 hours per applicant to “Sweat Equity” labor at construction sites, the Habitat Store, and other volunteer opportunities, and must attend required meetings and classes.
- Ability to Repay the Loan – Applicants require income history documentation, a household income within the 60%-80% local median household income range (based on household size), and ability to qualify for a mortgage.
The application period ends Monday, August 19, at 4pm."
3. NEW – Skagit Transit Draft Transit Development Plan Available for Comment
"Skagit Transit has completed the agency's annual draft Transit Development Plan (TDP) and is open for public comment through August 21, 2024." Click Here for more information.
4. NEW – Additional Recreational Shellfish Harvest Closures Issued in Skagit County Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) Toxins
"Due to recent samples of shellfish containing elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins, the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) has closed recreational harvest for all shellfish species in the following areas:
- Samish Bay
- Guemes, Cypress, Sinclair, and Vendovi Islands
- Hat and Saddlebag Islands
- Padilla Bay
- West Fidalgo Island
- As a reminder, closures have also been issued for Similk Bay and Skagit Bay."
Click Here for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. 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 $.56. 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."