From the Fast Forward Blog - On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, the day President Grover Cleveland officially accepted "Liberty Enlightening the World " as a gift from France. It was New York City's first ticker-tape parade, but crowds were modest because of rain. There was a parade of 300 vessels that passed by the statue, and other spectator boats. Among them was a boat chartered by the New York State Woman Suffrage Association, which was unable to obtain tickets to the dedication because they were "unaccompanied women." But they persisted.
The first week of Early Voting in the 2019 Municipal Election is over. In District 2, Democrat Sue Sgambelluri is running against Republican Andrew Guenther. In District 3 Democrat Ron Smith is running against Nick Kappas and Marty Spechler who are running as Independents.
There are approximately 16,200 registered voters in Districts 2 and 3. Fewer than 200 eligible voters have cast their ballots to date. This means that just a few votes could determine who will be representing those two City Council districts for the next 4 years. The candidate who does the best job of getting out the vote generally wins, but this year that may be more critical than ever. If you live in District 2 or 3, it’s time to get out and vote, and remind your neighbors to vote as well. Every vote counts.
If you are interested in working on election day we are still looking for a few more democrats to work the polls - please contact Kaisa at [email protected]
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Special Announcement from Sue Sgambelluri
Voting Information for the 2019 Municipal Election
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:00 - 8:00pm
DWC Training: 2020 Offices up for Election,
Monroe County Democratic HQ, 116 S Madison St Suite A. Bloomington
We will take a look at the offices up for election, their requirements, how to file, filing deadlines and what qualifications would be useful to have. How might you be uniquely qualified for a particular office? Questions - contact us at [email protected].
**ENDORSEMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE:
Jillian Kinzie is heading up an ENDORSEMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE with the intent of having a finished document ready for review by the membership so that we can have a finalized process ready prior to the start of the 2020 Election season. If you are interested in contributing to this process please email us at [email protected].
**DWC Steering Committee Membership:
Nominations for the DWC Steering Committee are now open:
December is fast approaching as are elections to the DWC Steering Committee.
The following positions will be up for election:
Vice Chair:
Treasurer:
and 5 at-large positions.
The Steering Committee is a working board… we meet on the third Saturday of the month at 10am. If you have questions about serving on the Steering Committee, about duties of the officers and at-large members, would like to nominate yourself or someone else for the Steering Committee, or you are a member who would like to serve on the Nominating Committee to help develop a slate for the December elections, please contact DWC Chair Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected].
**Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!!
We are looking for a few good women to join our Monday Morning News and Social Media Team to help keep our membership informed - if you can help - contact us at [email protected].
Your thoughts are always welcome: We welcome your thoughts on DWC events and issues….Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. For those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected]
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A Special Statement From Sue Sgambelluri:
Fellow Members of the Democratic Women's Caucus -
By now, many of you have heard of the attempt by the Monroe County Republican Party to influence the outcome of the District 2 election by pouring $22,500+ into Andrew Guenther's campaign. (His financial report can be accessed here.) Shortly before making its contributions to the Guenther Campaign, the Monroe County Republican Party received contributions totaling more than $20,000 from Douglas Horn, a Bloomington landlord and President of Horn Properties.
Later this evening, my campaign will issue the attached press release in response to this development.
So What Can You Do?
First ... Get mad. Rather than offering ideas or a candidate that resonate with a broad range of voters, the Republican Party is relying on large infusions of cash from a single individual to tip the District 2 election. We've seen this strategy on a national and state level, and now we're seeing it locally. Bloomington voters deserve better.
Then ... Get involved. Now. Early voting starts on Monday. Write a letter to the editor. Take a few hours to canvass between now and election day. Offer to staff a polling site for point-of-sale on November 5th. Contact me at (812) 345-3215 or at [email protected] to learn more.
Make no mistake ... Andrew Guenther has not been "a successful fundraiser". Quite simply, he has been bankrolled.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks! I'm grateful for DWC's endorsement and for all your support.
- Sue -
Sue Sgambelluri
City of Bloomington - Redevelopment Commission
Democratic Candidate - Bloomington City Council - District 2
Community Advocate - Community Leader - Your Voice on City Council
www.SueForCityCouncil.com
[email protected]
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Voting Information for the 2019 Municipal Election:
Only registered voters in City Council Districts 2 and 3 will have an election in 2019:
Absentee Voting by Traveling Board:
October 17 is first day for a voter who is confined at a private residence because of disability or illness or who is caring for such an individual may vote before the absentee traveling election board
Monday Nov. 4 at midnight is the deadline for the traveling absentee voter board to visit and vote a voter who is confined because of illness or injury
Call Election Central to set up a visit from the Absentee Traveling Board.
Absentee Voting by Mail:
Oct. 24th by 11:59pm was the last day for the County Election Division to receive a mailed, faxed, emailed absentee ballot application with some exceptions for overseas and active duty military voters.
Absentee in Person aka Early Voting:
Absentee in Person voting began in Monroe County on: Monday Oct. 21
Hours:
Mon. Oct 28 - Fri Nov. 1 8am to 6pm
Sat. Oct. 26 9am - 4pm
Mon. Nov. 4 8am - Noon
All in-person absentee voting will be at Election Central, 401, W. 7th St., Suite 100
Monday Nov. 4, at noon is the deadline for a voter to vote and absentee ballot-in-person
Election Day Voting will be at the poll based on the voter’s registration address
Poll site information is available at https://indianavoters.in.gov/
Election Day voting is on Nov. 5 from 6:00am to 6:00pm
Note: all full-service license branches will remain open from 8:30am until 8pm on Nov. 4 solely for the purpose of issuing driver’s licenses and state identification cards to be used as id on election day.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Monroe County Democratic Party will hold a caucus on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 6:00pm for Monroe County Council District 1, Monroe County Party Vice Chair and Monroe County Party Treasurer.
Caucus for Monroe County Council District 1
To be eligible to run for this position, candidates must reside in Monroe County Council District 1. Candidates must file a form CEB-5 with the Party Chair at least 72 hours before the caucus.
Eligible electors for the caucus for Monroe County Council District 1 are only Precinct Chairs representing a precinct in District 1.
Caucuses for MCDP Treasurer and Vice Chair
To be eligible to run for these positions, candidates must reside in Monroe County.
Candidates must email MCDP Secretary Sofia McDowell at [email protected] and state their intention to run at least 72 hours before the caucus.
Eligible electors for these caucuses are all Precinct Chairs and Vice Chairs in Monroe County.
Any questions about the caucus can be addressed to Jennifer Crossley at [email protected] or 219-805-1311.
Thank you in advance for this important service to both community and party.
YODER ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION DUE TO RESIDENCY CHANGE
Shelli Yoder announced this week that she will step down from her position as County Council member representing District 1 due to a change in her residency.
“It has been an honor to represent the residents of District 1. I am grateful for having had this opportunity to serve, and I will continue to seek ways to be engaged in our community,” Yoder said.
First elected to represent District 1 in January 2013, Yoder is near the end of her 2nd year serving as Council President. Working alongside her council colleagues and local leaders, Yoder’s achievement highlights while in office include: creation of the annual South Central Indiana Opioid Summit and continuing efforts to address substance use disorders, including a syringe services program; increased access to mental health services within the Monroe County Jail; support for the recently launched criminal justice study; opening of the new Emergency 911 Dispatch Center; expansion of the Youth Services Bureau facility; funding to maintain access to women’s health services; and environmental sustainability efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change.
“Although this move will take my family into a different Bloomington neighborhood just beyond the border of District 1, my commitment to our community and Monroe County’s continued success is as strong as ever. I look forward to finding new opportunities to serve and to continuing the work of meeting the challenges we face at the local, state, and national levels,” Yoder said.
Yoder will maintain her current residency and continue to serve through October 31, 2019.
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Please contact Kaisa at [email protected] to sign up for a shift (or two) or if you have any questions. Ongoing Tabling at the Farmers Market Saturday mornings
BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS: A great way to get involved and learn about how government works in Monroe County and Bloomington and to make a difference in your community:
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON B&Cs
The office of the City Clerk announces a vacant position on the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability. This position is available for city residents 18 years of age or older. The BCOS promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in the community for present and future generations. The commission gathers and disseminates information, promotes practical initiatives, and measures, monitors, and reports on the community’s progress towards sustainability.
For information on this position, or other commissions that have vacancies at this time, contact the office of the City Clerk or check https://bloomington.in.gov/boards to see the nature of the board or commission, recent minutes and actions, and how that particular vacancy is filled.
MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL B&Cs
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners invites you to apply to serve on a Board or Commission! There are immediate openings on a number of these bodies, including: Animal Management, Environmental Commission, and the Human Rights Commission. For information on each of them, see https://www.co.monroe.in.us/boards/. The application is available here: https://www.co.monroe.in.us/egov/documents/1533065264_74301.pdf. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]).
EVENTS
TODAY!!
Monday, October 28, 2019 6:00pm
National Day of Outrage
Outside City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., Bloomington
Speakers will be young black girls and women of the Bloomington Community
Join them and rally in solidarity to remember those whose lives were senselessly taken.
If you can, please wear black.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 5:00pm - 8:00 pm
Dine Out At Culvers: Fundraiser for Pantry 279
Culvers Restaurant, 1918 W. 3rd St., Bloomington
Culver's will donate a percentage of all sales between 5pm and 8pm on Tuesday, October 29. With Thanksgiving boxes coming up, Pantry 279 needs to raise $9000 to cover current obligations. Let’s pack the house - no flyers are needed.
Tuesday, November 4, 2019 8:00am - 12:00pm
LAST DAY TO EARLY VOTE
Election Central, 401 W. 7th St., Bloomington
Absentee in-person voting ends at noon on Monday Nov. 4
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 6:00am - 6:00pm
ELECTION DAY
If you live in City Council District 2 or 3 and you have not early voted, vote at your precinct today.
You can find your precinct at indianavoters.com
Thursday, November 14, 2019 7:45am - 9:00am
Wake Up! with United Way "Re-Imagining Health Care in Monroe County and Beyond"
Federally Qualified Health Center: A Solution to Critical Health Challenges
The Mill, 642 N. Madison St.
Co-hosted by United Way and IU Political and Civic Engagement
Guest Speaker: Nancy Richman, Ph.D.,MPA., Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine
Cost: $10 This covers the cost of breakfast and remaining proceeds going to United Way of Monroe County
https://www.monroeunitedway.org/WakeUp
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:00 - 8:00pm
DWC Training: 2020 Offices up for Election,
Monroe County Democratic HQ, 116 S Madison St Suite A. Bloomington
With the Municipal Elections over it’s time to start concentrating on 2020. We will take a look at the offices up for election, their requirements, how to file, filing deadlines and what qualifications would be useful to have. How might you be uniquely qualified for a particular office? Questions - contact us at [email protected].
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 9:00am-2:00 pm
Red For Ed Action Day
Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Hosted by Indiana State Teachers Association, The Indiana Student Education Association, IREP (Indiana Rising Education Professionals and Invest in Education IN.
For one day only, legislators are back in session to organize for the upcoming General Assembly. Kids, educators and public schools need to be the top priority. Let's remind lawmakers that we are still here, activated and ready to advocate for our kids, our schools and our future.
To learn more about Red For Ed in Indiana, visit InvestInEducationIN.org.
Event information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/512299189339936/
Saturday December 7, 2019 11:00am-12:00pm
Isabel Piedmont Smith Constituent Meeting
Bloomington City Hall, Room #135
The meeting will feature a discussion of issues coming before the City Council. All city residents are welcome to attend Councilmember Piedmont-Smith's meetings
Note: There will be no Constituent Meeting in November
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. Check in with Sue Sgambelluri’s campaign and find out how you can help her win on Nov. 5. Sue has three mailers coming out in the next two weeks that will talk about her campaign goals and work to get out the vote. Sue says that at this point in the race what she needs most is help in getting out the vote - continuing to actively canvass in District 2 as well as getting the word out about her opponent’s funding sources (see above). You can contact Sue at [email protected].
2. There will be Caucuses to fill the District 1 County Council Seat vacated by the resignation of Shelli Yoder due to a change in residency as well as open positions for Monroe County Party Vice Chair and Treasurer on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6pm. If you have been thinking about running for County Council or serving as a Party Officer this is a great time to step up. Questions and a notice of intent to caucus for District 1 can be sent to Party Chair Jennifer Crossley at [email protected]. Questions and a notice of intent to Caucus for one of the party offices can be referred to the Secretary of the Monroe County Democratic Party at [email protected]. The DWC can also help you with your questions about a particular office and the process of caucusing… contact us at [email protected].
3. IF YOU LIVE IN BLOOMINGTON DISTRICTS 2 OR 3, GET OUT AND VOTE. Early voting starts today and continues through Nov. 4 with precinct voting on election day - Nov. 5. Turn out for this election is likely to be low so even a few votes may make a significant difference.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Todd Young:
https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd
(202) 224-5623
Mike Braun:
https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike
(202) 224-4814
(317) 822-8240
Trey Hollingsworth:
https://hollingsworth.house.gov/contact/
(202) 225-5315 (U.S. House) or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office)
BECOME A DWC MEMBER or RENEW your membership!
The DWC is dedicated to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership.
Only $20 for one year’s membership.
Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership
Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.
Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/