BEXAR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
County Executive Committee Secretary's Minutes
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BEXAR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
MEETING OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, October 2, 2007 

The meeting was held at the office of Communication Workers of America where, at 7:20 p.m., the County Chair Carla Vela announced that, since we don’t have a quorum, all we can do is to set a time and place for the next meeting.

A motion was made by Dick Waits (3074) that we set a time not later than 8:30 p.m  for adjournment.  During discussion several people commented that without a quorum there is no need to set a time for adjournment, and also that we cannot take a vote without a quorum and that we should therefore wait until 8:30 p.m. to see if we have a quorum.  There was no further discussion and the amended motion passed.

Although no action can be taken without a quorum, the Chair suggested that we hear the reports informally.  Thereafter, motion was made by Zada True-Courage that we hear the reports.  The motion passed without discussion.
A.  Chair’s Report.   Carla Vela noted that in looking through the files it was noted that no notarized application was available for one of four individuals filing as precinct chair.  In answer to a question from the audience, she identified that individual as Dan Ramos.  Mr. Ramos insisted that he had presented a notarized application.   Since no copy is available in the office, the Chair asked Mr. Ramos to submit another notarized application in order to complete the files.  In continuing her report, the Chair stated that there were recently some visitors from Hungary to Democratic Headquarters who were interested in the Democratic Party.
B.  Treasurer’s Report.  Fernando Contreras presented his report, a copy of which is attached to the minutes, and answered questions concerning money received through the Partnership Program and whether or not there are separate accounts. 

C.  Committee Reports
1.   Special Events/Fundraising – No report.

2.  Precinct Chair Recruitment.  Mark Camann reported a) the resignation of Regina Gomez as Chair of this committee.  She has been replaced by Sterling Camp.  b) Mike Murphy has resigned as precinct chair because he is moving to Canada.  c)  A Precinct Chair Recruitment Rally for Precinct 2, hosted by Commissioner Paul Elizondo, is scheduled for Saturday October 27 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s University AT&T Center for Information Technology. d)  The subject of requirement for notarization of precinct chair applications was discussed by the Committee at a recent meeting and it was agreed that motion will be made at the October meeting that any precinct chair application rejected by the Bexar County Democratic Party or found to be incomplete or unacceptable must be reported to the County Executive Committee at its next meeting,  along with the reasons why the application was rejected; and further, the Bexar County Democratic Party must, if possible, take action as soon as possible to make the application complete and acceptable.  e)  On the subject of a joint primary versus a separate primary John McConnell (3047) reported a ruling by the Secretary of State in 2001 that the County Chair at that time (Gabe Quintanilla) had the sole right to declare a joint primary.  Since that time the Secretary of State (a Republican) has been found to be in error.

3.  Campaign Committee.  Ian Straus reported that the Committee has met with State Representative Mike Villarreal and with Gina Castaneda, political director for US Representative Ciro Rodriguez.  The Committee was advised that if we want elected officials to bet their futures on close cooperation with the Party’s general election campaign, the campaign must have a paid fulltime campaign manager from July until the election.  The CEC resolved to do this in 2006 but lacked the money to do so.  We now have time to name a campaign manager and to submit a budget and a plan which will make it easier to raise the funds to carry out the campaign.  A copy of a proposed Bexar County campaign budget and fund raising goals for 2008 is attached to the minutes.  The following actions are recommended:  a) That the CEC approve a minimum 2008 general election campaign budget or a medium budget with funding procedures in accordance with the BCDP’s continuing rules.  b) That these budget amounts be set as fundraising goals; and that a campaign manager to be hired in January will begin drawing pay in early July.  c) The hiring process will be defined and supervised by the BCDP Executive Council, and the hiring will be done with approval of the CEC. In addition, the Committee would make a motion that if an offer for the visit of a Presidential candidate comes through, the Committee will ask the CEC to authorize the Campaign & Special Events Committees to hold a fundraiser or fundraisers in connection with such visit.  This request is to be on condition that the majority of the money raised will come to the BCDP treasury and will be earmarked for the general election campaign. 

In answer to questions by John McConnell , Mr. Straus replied that the budget for the primary comes from the Secretary of State’s Office and out of the State of Texas Treasury.
4.  Primary Committee – John Courage reported that three committees have been developed – the Judges Committee, Budget Committee and a Timeline & Schedule Committee.  The Committee is still recruiting and training judges.  For the 262 Polling Places we need 524 judges and alternate judges and since we are about 150 election judges short at this time, we are still recruiting and training judges.  Reservations have been made for all committee members to attend the Secretary of State’s Primary Seminar scheduled for October 18th in Austin.  Finally, a job description for the Primary Elections Manager was presented to the CEC.

There was a lengthy discussion concerning a decision made by a different CEC in about 2003 on the subject of whether or not to hold a joint primary.  At that time the CEC voted to hold a separate primary, and it was agreed that this CEC must vote on whether or not they want to have a separate primary.   On this subject John McConnell urged everyone to become familiar with Chapter 10 of the State Election Code.   John Courage commented further that the state legislature passed a law that during early voting there must be a Republican and a Democrat at each polling site.  He urged that this be done on election day as well.

 The Chair announced that we collected $102 tonight.  She then introduced Roberto Rodriguez, candidate for County Court #2.  Mr. Rodriguez asked the group for their support in the election.

The Chair then reported that it is now 8:30 p.m. and she asked for a motion to adjourn.  On a voice vote this motion passed.

Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane M. Humble
Secretary

 

 
Political Advertising Donated, Bexar County Democratic Party, Fernando Contreras, Treasurer.