News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on December 29th, 2024
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for December 30, 2024
Happy New Year ! ! !
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Office will be closed for the Holidays and will reopen Monday, Jan 6, 2025
2. UPDATED – Mark your Calendar! Our Skagit County Democrats Reorganization Meeting will be Saturday, Jan 11 2025, Skagit County PUD, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon
"The Skagit County Democrats invite you to our Biannual Reorganization Meeting on Saturday, January 11th, at 10:00 AM at the Skagit County PUD Building. This important meeting marks a key opportunity to shape the future of our local Democratic Party and ensure our community remains engaged and active in the political process.
What is Reorganization? As outlined by the Washington State Democratic Party, the purpose of reorganization is to elect new party leadership and set the course for the upcoming two years. This is your chance to have a direct impact on the direction of the party, strengthen our grassroots efforts, and help elect Democrats at every level of government.
Why It Matters: Politics may start in Washington, but it ends in your community. Being active at the local level is crucial for creating lasting change and advancing the values we hold dear. Your voice and involvement make a difference—let’s come together and ensure Skagit County remains a strong, progressive force.
We look forward to seeing you there!"
3. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats next meet Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
4. NEW – Editorial: Why I plan to attend the Reorganization Meeting
Two quotes from Theodore Roosevelt:
- "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are." (He attributed this to Squire Bill Widener in his autobiograhy.)
- “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”
I think most of us have been terribly disappointed, if not despairing, over the results of the recent elections. While we have a lot to be thankful for locally, our prospects nationally will test our mettle even more than they did in 2017. The temptation to step back and "take a break" is real and visceral for all of us. Yet we cannot afford to do that! If we let our guard down because or our own disappointments, we are inviting others (you know who) to step in to the vacuum we create.
When I was a youngster, one of the lessons I learned from my father was, "You can only influence what happens in your own little piece of the world. But it is your responsibility to do just that and to do what is right and to be an example to those around you." To that end, I plan to attend and participate in our upcoming Skagit Democrats Reorganization Meeting. We will be selecting our collective leadership for the next two years. I want people who can "lead us out of the wilderness", who will shine a bright light on our path, who will not give up hope but be enthusiastic about the challenge.
That all starts January 11th as we pick up the pieces and move forward. I hope to see a lot of you there!
Don Ambrose
5. 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.
- California’s Minimum-Wage Hike Has Actually Been Great
- Attention DOGE and Elon Musk: Here’s how the federal government spends Americans’ tax dollars
- While Nourishing People in Need, Food Banks Prevented 1.8M Metric Tons of Carbon Emissions Last Year
- ‘A serious disease’: Congress weighs federal gambling crackdown amid growing concerns
- Why Trump is targeting Panama, Greenland, Canada
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Jan 4, 2025, 11:00am – 12:00pm, on the sidewalk in front of the Mount Vernon Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
Bring your signs, your friends, and your family.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
NOTE: Coffee and Cards will NOT meet this week as the Headquarters Office is closed until January 6.
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."