August 3, 2021 minutes
Cheatham County Democratic Party
Regular Monthly Meeting
August 3, 2021 at Pinnacle Bank, Ashland City.
Attendance
Present: Lynn Newcomb (P), John Patrick (VP), Elena Roser (VP), Martha Wettemann (S), Roger Marriott (T), Rick Johnson, Aric Storck, Karen Stell, Randy Fiedler, Michael Lottman.
Absent and excused: Jane Crisp, Jessica Arthur (work), Kathryn Mitchem
Absent: Tony Gross, Nicole DeBaun-Phillips, Gerald Dooley.
Vacancies: District 2, (1); District 3, (1); District 4, (1); District 6, (1).
Guests: Christie Grotheim, Linda McGee.
Committee Sign-ups (committees are not limited to the Executive Committee):
Advocacy Committee: Jane Crisp, Nicole DeBaun-Phillips, Mike Lottman, Karen Stell, Martha Wettemann (chair).
Elections Committee: Kathryn Mitchem, Elena Roser (chair), Jane Crisp, Martha Wettemann, Jessica Arthur, John Patrick.
Events Committee (including Forums): Randy Fiedler, Roger Marriott (chair), Mike Lottman, John Patrick
Social/Print Media: Karen Stell, Mike Lottman
Nominating: L. Newcomb, E. Roser, R. Johnson, M. Wettemann.
Call to order: Chair L. Newcomb called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attendance: A quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda for the Meeting: A motion was made by J. Patrick/E. Roser to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion carried. R. Marriott /J. Patrick moved that the meeting agenda be accepted as presented. The motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: R. Marriott reported the current balance of $3,192.02 in our account.
Chair’s Report: Chair Newcomb discussed the offer by Wilson County Democrats to allow other county parties including Cheatham to staff a booth at the Tennessee State Fair, now being combined with the Wilson County Fair on their fairgrounds. No one expressed an interest in participating.
Rachel Barry of the Cheatham County Health Department contacted Chair Newcomb regarding the Cheatham County Democrats sponsoring a vaccination event. Board discussion was that all in the room were vaccinated, as are most Democrats, and that limited time at the Reorganization would not allow time for vaccinations. It was suggested we discuss the Music on Main venue as a possibility with Ms. Barry.
The deadline for parties requesting a primary is August 23. Cost to the county would be $20,000; two weeks of early voting would be required. The election commissioner for the County will be meeting with Republicans on August 19 to explain the costs and requirements. Elected offices to be included would be the 23rd Judicial District and local county offices. If we had a primary it would prevent us from supporting a candidate from the beginning of the election process. M. Wettemann/ A. Storck moved that we not request a Democratic primary. After discussion, M. Wettemann/ A. Storck moved to call the question. The motion the question passed; then the motion to not request a primary passed.
- Newcomb continued her report on the 2021 County Party Reorganization on August 14:
Bylaws- The ones we submitted to the TNDP and approved by our Executive Committee by majority vote were tentatively accepted by the TNDP with this change: they suggested, in order for the Committee to have more members, that we add one representative from each precinct in addition to the 2 county commission members from each district. This would create 12+8=20 district representatives, in addition to the 6 officers and potentially 1 representative each from the Young Democrats and the Federation of Democratic Women. After discussion, M. Wettemann/E. Roser moved that CCDP add 8 positions to the bylaws, one from each precinct. After further discussion, R. Marriott /M. Wettemann called for the previous question. The motion carried. The original motion then carried.
In other discussion on the Reorganization, L. Newcomb reported that she would have the bylaws ready to be voted on at the meeting. Invitation postcards were addressed at the meeting. She will check if there is a way to do the Webex at our location at Pinnacle Bank. In our emails we will state that all will wear masks. Individual snacks and drinks will be available. She will have her office available after the Reorganization for all the paper and computer forms to be filled out and submitted to TNDP. M. Wettemann will obtain the voter diskette. Rep. John Ray Clemmons of Nashville will be our speaker at the Reorganization. A. Storck asked setup volunteers to be at the Pinnacle Bank at 9:30 a.m.
Old Business: J. Patrick discussed the potential of getting a solar career and technical education course available at a local high school through the use of ESSER funds, to be voted on by the School Board on August 5 at 7 p.m. Board members were requested to attend and support the Shine on Cheatham effort.
New Business: R. Fiedler discussed the issue of food insecurity and the food cart available in Pegram for donating/ picking up local produce.
Adjournment: K. Stell/R. Marriott moved that we adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm.
Post Meeting Vote by email August 20-21 by Chair A. Storck: Should CCDP request a Democratic primary? Results: 4 yea, 9 nay. The vote failed to receive majority support.
Submitted by Martha Wettemann, Secretary