Bexar County Democratic Party

Minutes – County Executive Committee

September 2, 2008

 

I.        Call for Quorum – County Chair Carla Vela announced 72 Precinct Chairs were signed in constituting a         

          quorum.  She called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m.

 

II.       Approve Agenda – There was a motion and second to approve the agenda as presented.  The motion carried with no discussion.

 

III.      Opening Ceremonies – The Chair led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.  A moment of silence was observed.  The Chair recognized all elected officials and candidates present.

 

IV.     Approval of August Minutes – George Windrow moved the minutes be accepted as presented.  Bob Miller seconded the motion and it passed with no discussion.

 

V.      Reports

          A.      County Chair – Ms. Vela announced the recommendation of placing Antonia Arteaga on the November ballot for Judge-57th District made at the special August meeting.  Our recommendation           was accepted by State Chair Boyd Richie, who has sent it to Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen.  The new Southside Democrats will open their office on Thursday, 9/4, with Rep. Ciro Rodriguez as the guest speaker.  There will also be an Eastside Democrats forming and will soon announce their opening.  We look good for victory in November.  She is sending out letter to inactive Precinct Chairs asking if they will come to the meeting and perform the duties required.  If they will not, she is asking them to step aside so someone else can take over the job.  She’s tired of people not showing up and not doing their job.         

                   Angie Garcia, Precinct 2 Deputy Chair asked to be recognized.  She apologized for not being at more meetings. Suggested we have a meeting on the south side to possibly attract more chairs.  The Chair asked her to find a location and we’ll discuss it.

          B.      Treasurer – Dwayne Adams wanted to clarify some points.  The fiscal year is July 1st through June 30th.  Since June was not reported by the previous Treasurer he will endeavor to get that information and issue a statement.  Since today is only the 2nd he does not yet have any bank information.  Once he receives it he will post it online.  There were some questions answered by Dr. Adams.  Larry Romo moved to accept the report.  Bob Miller seconded the motion.  It carried with no further discussion.

C.      Committees

                   1.       Fundraising – Ralph Galvan explained the fundraising project “A Buck For Change.”  A motion and second to accept the report were made.  There was much discussion.  After a call for the question the motion carried.

                   2.       Budget & Finance – No report.

                   3.       Campaign – Ian Straus gave report.  In it was the motion to close the Campaign Office.  There was a second.  There were several speakers both for and against the motion.  When the vote was taken, the motion failed.

                   4.       Community Outreach – Ruth Stewart gave the report.  There was a motion and second to accept the report.  The motion carried.

                   5.       Election Protection – No report.

                   6.       Endowment – Dr. Adams distributed an information sheet on 3 sites for consideration.  There was a motion and second to accept the report.  The motion carried with no discussion.

                   7.       Precinct Chair Recruitment – Mark Camann presented the report.  There was a motion and second to accept.  The motion carried with no discussion.               8.       Seniors – No report.

                   9.       Special Events – Lila Aguirre presented the report and included information on the roast honoring County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson on October 16th.  A motion and second to accept were made.  The motion carried.

                   10.     Rules – Robert Bretz reported there were additional changes proposed at the August 18th.           Bob Miller moved the vote be tabled until the December meeting rather than during the election   season.  After a second to table the motion it carried.

                   11.     Veterans – Charlie Jones presented the report and said it would be posted on the website.  They continue to meet every Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Jim’s, Hildebrand and San Pedro.  Following a motion and second to accept the report the motion carried.

                   12.     Volunteer – Rose Marie Parra reported a process is followed for volunteers.  They are needed no just for the headquarters and the campaign office but also for committees.  Refer people to the website and give them the telephone numbers.  A motion and second were made to accept the report.  The motion carried.

 

The Chair recognized candidate Steve Walker (Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2).  He invited everyone to his fundraiser at the home of Frank Herrera on Tuesday, Sept. 9th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

 

          D.      DNC Member – No report.

          E.      SDEC Members

                   1.       SD19 – Albert Lopez – No report.

                   2.       SD25 – Zada True Courage – No County Chairs in her district are paid to be the Campaign Manager.

                   3.       SD26 – Joshua Bailey – Antonia “Toni” Arteaga is on the ballot.

 

VI.     Unfinished Business – None

 

VII.    New Business

          A.      The Chair reported the recommendation of Antonia Arteaga to be placed on the ballot for Judge 57th District Court has been sent to Jacque Callanen by State Chair Boyd Richie.

          B.      Larry Romo moved we purchase more Obama/Biden signs and posters to be sold through our offices.  Following a second the motion carried.

          C.      Bryan Gerard moved that space at the campaign office be rented only to candidates.  There was a second.  Following discussion the motion carried.

          D.      Elizabeth Keith moved to make sure all campaign workers hired previously are paid.  The motion was ruled out of order and her request was referred to the Campaign Committee.

 

VIII.   Announcements

          A.      Todd Hedley asked if are taking advantage of the 1st Friday event to register voters?  Angie Garcia added there will be registration drives at two local Wal-Mart’s.  Dr. Adams volunteered to feed everyone working at the campaign office on 1st Friday. 

          B.      Ruth Stewart announced the next meeting of the Bexar County Democratic Women will be held at the Northeast Headquarters, on October 6th, at 6:30 p.m.   C.      Larry Meads thanked all who met with the Campaign Committee in the dark.  He also thanked the members and retirees of IBEW Local 60 who worked a combined total of 90 hours to get the lights installed.  They are Keith Schultz, Gene Chamberlain, Rene Carreno, Don Nichols, Steve Garcia, Joseph Hummell, Charlie Watson, Alfonso Reina, Bobby Wolff, and Tommy Huckabee.  Craig Parkman helped organize the volunteers.

          D.      Bob Miller announced the Northeast Bexar County Democrats will meet on Saturday, Sept. 6th, at 7122 San Pedro beginning at 8:30 a.m.

          E.      Bryant Livingston announced the second meeting of the Eastside Democrats will be Saturday, Sept. 6th, at 613 S. Hackberry.  They are also holding a registration drive on Sept. 13th at the Friendship Baptist Church, 635 Iowa St.

          F.       Jonathan Vela reported this Saturday Rick Noriega will be in Guadalupe County from noon to 2:00 p.m. and in Kendall County from 2-4:00 p.m. 

          G.      Roberto Flores invited everyone to the Stonewall Democrats Awards Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 6th, at the El Tropicano Hotel from 6-10:00 p.m.  There will be dinner, drinks, and awards.  Linda Yaρez, Candidate for Supreme Court Place 8, is the guest speaker.

 

IX.     Adjournment – Following a motion and second the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

 

______________________________

Nancy T. Froment, Secretary

Bexar County Democratic Party