February 2, 2021 minutes

Cheatham County Democratic Party
Regular Monthly Meeting
February 2, 2021 online
Attendance
Present: Lynn Newcomb (P), John Patrick (VP), Jane Crisp (VP), Martha Wettemann (S), Roger Marriott (T), Elena Roser, Karen Stell, Aric Storck, Randy Fiedler, Kathryn Mitchem, Gerald Dooley, Michael Lottman, Jessica Arthur.
Absent and excused:
Absent: Nicole Debaun-Phillips, Tony Gross, Rick Johnson, Gerald Dooley.
Vacancies: District 2, woman; District 3, man; District 4: man; District 6, woman.
Guests: Linda McGee, Ron Day, Galen
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 Lottmann, John Patrick, Linda McGee
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 6:10 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance.
Attendance: A quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda for the Meeting: The minutes were accepted by all with the correction by Chair Newcomb that Kathryn Mitchem be recorded as absent and excused.
Treasurer’s Report: R. Marriott reported our current balance of $3,496.54. Donations are accepted from checks and Act Blue.
Chair’s Report: Chair Newcomb reported that on January 16 the state party elected a new chair, Hendrell Remus, the first Black chair of either the Tennessee Democratic or Republican parties and youngest chair of the Democratic Party. Carol Mayhew was elected Treasurer. The two Middle Tennessee Vice Chairs will be elected in 2022. Martha Shepard has announced she will not run; chair Newcomb will check about whether the male vice chair is running. The Democratic County Conventions (usually in March) will be held in August. We want a lot of people to attend our convention. Our CCDP executive committee will continue in their positions until our convention in August. Chair Newcomb has some suggestions for by-laws changes which can be done at the convention in August.

Our CCDP can recommend people to the state level to be appointed to our county Election Commission. Currently our two representatives are Marshall Bruce Gibbs and Wilson Bell.
Please contact L. Newcomb if you have suggestions for the Election Commission or for local party members to fill vacancies on the CCDP. Vivian Fosten ran for a vacant seat on the Ashland City Council but was not elected. County elections will be held in August.
Board Nominations: J. Crisp asked to step down as second vice chair. K. Mitchem nominated J. Crisp for the vacant CCDP first district representative. The motion carried. J. Patrick then nominated E. Roser for CCDP second vice chair. The motion carried.
Events Committee: R. Fiedler reported that 200 pounds of food and treats were collected for the county animal shelter. He also delivered the food and a $300 check to the animal shelter today.
Advocacy Committee: Due to the necessity of working on Cheatham Shine and some decline in COVID cases in Cheatham County, the mask mandate forum was postponed and contacts begun with committee volunteers and the public on the solar in the schools initiative.
Election Committee: E. Roser asked for information on special events. She asked for suggestions about ways to begin strategic messaging, and then do voter registration around these.
Old Business: J. Patrick discussed a school board project solarize the schools. At no expense to the school system, the school district could save an estimated $100,000 annually (about 10 percent on the school budget). 50 schools in Tennessee have some solar. He described details of the local opportunity. For the first time in decades TVA is allowing local power companies to purchase up to 5 percent of their electricity from a non-TVA distributor. (One reason for this is demands for renewable energy). Third party providers can take advantage of tax credits and accelerated depreciation. The reputable Wilmot Company has expressed an interest and has contacted Jerome Terrell, the Cheatham County Economic Development Director. Part of the project is educational opportunities for the schools.
Calls need to be made to our utility companies Cumberland Electric and Dickson Electric. J. Patrick has a draft script. M. Wettemann agreed to provide bullet points for calls by the next day; L. Newcomb do graphics; and E. Roser, J. Crisp, and M. Wettemann and others will reach out to volunteers to call. A timeline is being developed and the county commission will have to sign off on this in March. Some calling lists have been developed.
Adjournment: K. Mitchem/R. Fiedler moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Submitted by Martha Wettemann, secretary.
Email: [email protected] Website: Cheathamdemocrats.org