BEXAR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

County Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

June 17, 2008

 

I.      County Chair Carla Vela called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  She announced there was quorum present.  After leading Pledge of Allegiance and observing a moment of silence Ms. Vela asked if there was a motion to approve the agenda.  There was a motion and second to approve the agenda as presented. There was no discussion and the motion carried.  Ms. Vela recognized those elected officials and candidates present.  There was a motion and second to the April and May Minutes.  The motion carried with no discussion.  She introduced Tommy Adkisson, Bexar County Commissioner-Precinct 4.  Mr. Adkisson spoke on the March Primary and how great a year is in store for Democrats in 2008.  He credited all the hard work put forth by so many people.  He named a few here in Bexar County, especially young voters, who will be working for all of us.  He thanked the Precinct Chairs for their service and also other dedicated Democrats who have worked so hard to bring the BCDP to where we are today.

 

II.     The County Chair announced that nominations were now open for the position of Secretary of the BCDP.  Ian Straus nominated Nancy Froment, who accepted.  There was a motion and second to cease nominations.  The motion carried with no discussion.  Following a motion and second to elect Ms. Froment by acclimation.  The motion carried with no discussion.

 

III.    The Chair yielded the floor to Ian Straus, Rules Committee Chair, who gave a short history of the purpose of the County Rules, which are to set expectations and a standard of fairness.  He briefly described the contents and stated there are copies available tonight, as well as online.  He moved the Rules of the Bexar County Democratic Party be re-affirmed as presented.  Since this is a committee         recommendation, no second is required.  There was no discussion and the motion carried.

 

IV.    Reports

        A.     The Chair began her report by congratulating all the newly elected Precinct Chairs.  She announced the resignation of County Executive Director, Madeleine Dewar, due to health reasons.  As a result, this summer the BCDP office will only be open from 10:00 a.m. thru 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week. Cheryl Novak will be there Tuesdays, Rose Marie Parra on Wednesdays, and Thomas Rockymoore on Thursdays.  Ms. Vela announced the new elected or re-elected SDEC members from Bexar County.  They are Albert Lopez (19), Joshua Bailey and Selena Pena (26), and Zada True Courage (25).  Choco Meza was elected a DNC member.

        Several Committees need Chairs as well as volunteers.  Ms. Vela gave a brief description of each               committee's functions and encouraged all Precinct Chairs to volunteer for at least one committee.  The Fundraising and Special Event Committee is now two separate committees.  She stressed again that our goal is to get Democrats elected.

        B.    County Treasurer Fernando Contreras presented the Financial Report.  There was a motion and second to approve as presented after a few questions.  The motion carried.

At this time the Chair took the opportunity to introduce an elected official who had arrived - Judge Karen Crouch.

        C.    Committee Reports

                1.     Special Events/Fundraising - No report

                2.     Precinct Chair Recruitment - Presented by Mark Camaan.  The recommended Precinct Coordinators were elected as Precinct Chairs at the May meeting. The contested race in Precinct 4142 was resolved when one of the candidates withdrew in favor of Joyce Hopkins.  With the resignation of Tracy Bogart (1063) we now have 284 Chairs and 338 Vacancies with 8 more candidates waiting to be elected at the first CEC meeting with a statutory quorum of 50% + 1 (currently 143).  Training will begin in July on canvassing and voter targeting.  Contact Sterling Camp through the party office for a training. There was a motion and second to accept the report.  The motion carried with no discussion.

                3.     Campaign - Presented by Ian Straus who reported the committee interviewed six applicants for the post of Campaign Manager.  In a joint recommendation with the Executive Council they made the following recommendations.  1) That the BCDP hire Gina A. Castaneda of 203 Langford Place as Campaign Manager to begin after July 4th and work through the 2008 General Election on November 4th, at a salary of $3,500/month.  Her duties are as outlined in the job description approved by the CEC in 2007.  2) That the BCDP hire Thomas C. Rockeymoore of 9000 Cypressdale Drive as Assistant Campaign Manager at a salary of $2,000/month.  Duties will be to assist the Campaign Manager in operational planning and execution and in other duties assigned as necessary to win the general election, as the Campaign Manager's highest ranking subordinate.  3) The campaign budget as approved in        2007 to be amended to include the Assistant Campaign Manager position. 

                        It was further moved that the CEC be reminded our continuing rules provide for an Election Committee separate from the Campaign Committee.  These were merged in 2006 but the lesson learned is that we need these as two committees.  Our Chair will create the separate Election Committee tonight and ask for volunteers to begin its operation.  There was a second to the motion.  During discussion Joshua Bailey offered an amendment to the motion to add that criminal background checks be done on all applicants, including fingerprinting.  Several people spoke both in favor and opposing the amendment.  Larry Romo called for the question, ending debate.  The motion to end debate carried.  The vote on the amendment failed.  The original motion, as presented, carried.  The Chair introduced Ms. Castaneda and Mr. Rockeymoore to the body.

                4.     Communications - No report

                5.     Primary - John Courage reported the Bexar County Elections Department has not yet given us               a final accounting for the Primary.  Once that is received we will be able to pay what is owed and a detailed report will be available, along with a copy of the Secretary of State's Report.  Mr. Courage moved the report be accepted as presented.  There was a second and motion carried with no discussion.

                6.     Partner Program - John Courage reported the need to raise $120,000 for the campaign and need to recruit more members to the Partners Program.  We will be sending out a mailing to each delegate and alternate that attended an SD convention.  He moved the report be accepted.  The motion was seconded and carried with no discussion.

                7.     Budget & Finance - Zada True Courage reported the committee would meet after the acceptance of the new members.  The Committee has set reserved three months worth of expenses to make sure we can meet our monthly operating costs.  That amount is $10,000.  She moved the report be accepted as presented.  There was a second and motion carried with no discussion.

                8.     Rules - No report

                9.     Community Outreach - No report

            10.      Volunteer - No Report

        D.    SDEC Reports - Since they have not yet met there is no report.

 

V.     Unfinished Business

        A.     The Chair confirmed the contested race in Precinct 4142 was resolved.

        B.    Dr. Garcia stated that at a CEC meeting four years ago Maria Torres was alarmed and upset that there were deputies with guns present at the meeting held at the Granada Homes.  The Chair said she would be happy to appoint two or three people to look into the handling of the problem of guns present during our meetings.  Sally Bolster moved to refer this concern to the Rules Committee.  There was a second and the motion carried with no discussion.

 

VI.    New Business

        A.     Nominate and Elected Deputy Chairs - The Chair called for a recess so each Commissioner's Precinct Chairs can meet to elect their new Deputy Chairs.  She explained the functions of the Deputy Chairs.  Larry Meads explained the use of the Executive Committee.  After the recess the new Deputy Chairs were introduced.  They are Melanie Aranda (Pct. 1), Angie Garcia (Pct. 2), Jamie Lewis (Pct. 3 with Rose Marie Parra as Assistant), and Ian Straus (Pct. 4).

        B.    The meeting briefly recessed for the Deputy Chairs to meet and nominate the new Budget and Finance Committee.  After reconvening the names of those nominated were announced.  They are Richard Pena, Delores Lott, Zada True Courage, Nancy Froment, Gary Stillman, Frank MacDonald, Barbara Moschner, John R. Gongalez, and Larry Meads.  There was a motion and second the Committee be accepted as presented.  The motion carried with no discussion.  Linda Moore asked that those elected National Delegates from SD26 be recognized.  They were Larry Romo, Joe Bernal, Linda Moore and Alternate Patrick Vance.

        C.    The election of County Treasurer was announced.  The two candidates were Fernando Contreras and Dwayne Adams.  Each spoke for a few minutes on their qualifications.  The vote was taken and the results were:  Fernando Contreras - 26 votes and Dwayne Adams - 38 votes.  Mr. Adams was declared the winner and was elected Country Treasurer for the current term.  Mr. Contreras graciously congratulated Mr. Adams           

 

It was announced the collection tonight totaled $132.20.          

 

VIII.  Announcements

        A.     There will be a press conference with Candidate Rick Noriega on the front steps of the Courthouse             tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

        B.    The Northeast Bexar County Democrats are selling Obama t-shirts.

        C.    Healthcare NOW will take part in a national protest against the "AHIP" Convention on June 19th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Humana Building, 8431 Fredricksburg Rd.

        D.    Ian Straus needs volunteers to get a phone tree organized for meetings.

        E.    Zada True Courage encouraged everyone take time to unite behind all our Democratic candidates.

        F.     A fundraiser for State Rep. Candidate Frances Carnot is Monday, June 23rd, at the Jewish Community Center.  More information is on the website.

        G.    The four SD26 National Delegates and Alternates are having a fundraiser at 803 S. Medina, on July 11th, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

        H.    Todd Headley announced all the sign-in sheets to the Precinct Conventions are being scanned into files.

        I.      The group was asked to recognize Mark Camaan for his hard work on the State Resolutions Committee.

        J.     There will be a voter registration drive for Frances Carnot in SD25 in the near future.

        K.    Ms. Vela said the next CEC meeting is scheduled for July 1st and entertained a motion to reschedule it.  Bob Miller moved it the rescheduled to the following Tuesday, July 8th.  There was a second and the motion carried with no discussion.  Ms. Vela then added that the Steering Committee would meet June 25th instead of tomorrow.

 

With no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

 

 

____________________________________________

Nancy T. Froment, Secretary

Bexar County Democratic Party