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BEXAR
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
MEETING OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, May 1, 2007
The regular monthly meeting of the County Executive
Committee of the Bexar County Democratic Party was held on Tuesday, May 1, 2007
at 7:05 p.m. with
Carla Vela being in
the Chair and the Secretary being present. A
quorum was not present.
The business meeting commenced following the pledge of
allegiance and a moment of silence for veterans, democrats and others.
On a motion
by Roberto Flores, for which there was a second, the agenda was
approved.
John McConnell (3047) objected to continuing the
meeting in the absence of a quorum since it is his belief that any
actions
taken could be declared null and void. After
discussion, and following the persistence of Mr. McConnell to continue
his
objections, he was found by the Chair to
be out of order and he left the hall.
Several elected officials were recognized, including
Elena Guajardo, San Antonio City Councilwoman, District 5, who took the
podium and
during her brief statement thanked all those present for being involved
in the
democratic process. She concluded
her
remarks with a statement attributed to Helen Keller, “Alone we can do
so
little. Together we can do so much.”.
On a motion
by Larry Romo the minutes of the April meeting were accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report. The
Treasurer, Fernando
Contreras, directed attention to the new two-page format consisting of revenue and expenses for the period 3/31/97
through 4/28/07 on one page, with more detailed explanation of income
and
operating expenses on the second page.
Executive
Committee. Carla Vela announced
that the Maloney family, in memory of their father, have become
sustaining
members and will contribute $2,500 monthly as long as Carla is Chairman. On motion
made and seconded, the report was accepted.
Special
Events/Fundraising Lila Aguirre
reported that Elizabeth Edwards has accepted our invitation and will be
here on
June 21.
Precinct
Chair Recruitment. After
Nick Pena
presented a plan by the Committee to involve the Deputy
Chairs in the recruitment of new precinct
chairs, several motions by Mark Camaan as amended by Zada True-Courage
were
passed following discussion as follows: 1) to present an award (not to
exceed $150 in cost) to commissioner’s precinct recruiting the most new
precinct chairs, 2) to
refer to Campaign Committee task of
providing walk lists, 3)
to hold precinct chair recruitment meetings
in each commissioner’s precinct starting in June 2007, and 4) to
establish a
web page for recruitment of precinct chairs on the BCDP website. A fifth motion was defeated.
Primary
Preparation. A tentative timeline
and checklist allowing for either a February 5th or March 4th
primary was presented by co-chair Ian Straus to the CEC for approval. During discussion Ian explained that
Madeleine Dewar and Richard Barber will need volunteers to help in
identification of an up-to-date list of Democratic election judges. In conclusion Ian added that a charter for
this committee will be recommended at the next meeting on May 10th
and
he asked for input from the CEC.
Rules. Zada
True-Courage presented copies and explained
changes to the TDP Rules adopted by the State Democratic Convention in
June,
2006. After study, these changes relating to the operating budget, SDEC
membership and election procedure will be
voted on by the CEC in June.
Budget
& Finance. A proposed annual
operating budget of $32,850.00 was presented. The
budget is for operating expenses only and does not cover the 2008
Primary Campaign. In the event of
comment or feedback from the group, it was suggested that either
Fernando
Contreras or Zada True-Courage be informed.
Campaign Committee. Deputy
Chair Rick Puente reported that the
Committee met with Judge Andy Mireles to get the views of judges and
judicial
candidates. In response to a request
from current elected judges, a resolution was approved for the BCDP
working in
collaboration with other groups to host a petition signing party early
in the
summer. On motion by Zada
True-Courage a contribution from the BCDP of $500 was approved as well
as
approval for the appointment by the Chair of an ad hoc committee to
work with
other groups to facilitate accomplishment. Rosie
Gonzales is working in collaboration with the judges to have the
petition signing parties in June or early July. Barbie
Scharf-Zeldes is helping in the effort to focus on facilitating
the signing of petitions, and they are asking candidates to provide 250
names
for a data base.
Unfinished Business: Ian
Straus reported that a
resolution recommending the impeachment of United States Attorney
General Alberto
Gonzales which had been presented at the April meeting was sent to all
the
congressmen representing Bexar
County. By motion duly seconded, this action was overwhelmingly
approved
by the CEC.
New Business
Outreach
Committee. Ruth Stewart reported on
the Soldiers & Families Assistance Center
at Brooke
Army Medical Center
where injured
military personnel requiring long term rehabilitation and their family
members
can “hang out” during this treatment. On
a monthly basis different clubs and organizations supply snacks,
cookies,
bottled water and other personal items.
Motion was made for some Democratic groups
to make this invaluable contribution of necessary
items at least once a month and that a schedule be developed
for this purpose. Motion was amended to
include recommendation that these items be labeled as donations of
specific
clubs or by the BCDP. The motion
carried.
Suggestion was made by Zada True-Courage that the date
of the June CEC meeting be changed to Saturday, June 9 at a time to be
announced later, since there is a conflict with a meeting of the State
Party
scheduled from June 10-12.
During discussion of this matter, the Chair
turned the
podium over to Deputy Chair Rick Puente so that she could voice her
objection
to this change. It is the feeling of the
Chair that as a matter of courtesy she should have been notified of
this meeting
of the State Party. After expressing
her strong disapproval of the manner in which this matter was handled,
she
agreed to accept an offer of the Maloney family to hold the meeting in
the Milam
Building
on June 9. The Chair added that she
wants SDEC representatives Zada True-Courage and Madeleine Dewar to
inform the
State Party how she feels about the rude manner in which this was
handled. Bryan Gerard suggested that the
date for the
July meeting should likewise be changed to July 14, inasmuch as the
second
Tuesday is the 4th of July.
Nick Pena proposed as additions to New
Business
1) a motion that we send a letter of
support for the Democratic Congressional leaders in passage of a bill
calling
for the immediate withdrawal from Iraq. The
motion was seconded and passed. 2) Mr.
Pena proposed a second motion that
the Bexar County Democratic Party send a resolution to the State
recommending organization
of a coordinated campaign to help
alleviate the suffering of the people in Eagle Pass.
After amendment by Larry Meads to
also
write letters to the newspaper expressing our grief, the motion carried. Since immediate action is imperative, other
suggestions were that a point of contact at the State Democratic Party
be
included on our website, and that the Red Cross be designated as an
agency to
help the people of Eagle
Pass.
Announcements:
Concerning
the quorum issue, Larry Meads advised that for future meetings Roberts’
Rules
of Order permit action in an emeregency situation in the absence of a
quorum
with the understanding that any such actions may be overturned at the
next
meeting at which there is a quorum.
Mark
Camaan reported that one of the bills in the state legislature
requiring
multiple forms of ID previously reviewed by John Courage at our last
meeting has
passed. A bill concerning proof of
citizenship when re-registering is still pending. Mark
asked that we contact our Democratic
representative and urge them to vote
against this bill.
Carla
Vela noted that we collected $121 tonight.
Bryan
Gerard reported that Marine Sergeant Eric Alva will be speaking to the
Stonewall Democrats on May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Grady’s restaurant.
Ruth
Stewart gave the correct location of the meeting place for the Outreach
Committee discussed under New Business.
Adjournment:
There being no further business for
discussion, on motion by Rick Puente, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Jane
M. Humble, Secretary
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