October 6, 2020 minutes

Cheatham County Democratic Party

Regular Monthly Meeting

October 6, 2020, 6:00 PM, Online

Minutes

Call to Order: Chair L. Newcomb called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

Attendance: A quorum was present.

Present: Lynn Newcomb (P), John Patrick (VP), Jane Crisp (VP), Martha Wettemann (S), Roger Marriott (T), Karen Stell, Aric Storck, Randy Fiedler, Kathryn Mitchem, Gerald Dooley, Elena Roser, Rick Johnson.

Absent and excused: Nicole DeBaun-Phillips, Michael Lottman (TNDP pollwatcher training).

Absent: Tony Gross. Vacancies: District 1, man and woman; District 2, woman; District 3, man; District 4: man; District 6, woman.

Guests: Donna Salter, Matthew Binkley, Brian Hallgren, Linda McGee, Holly Spann, Adrian Johnson, Clara DeHart.

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

Approval of Minutes and Agenda for the Meeting: With no suggested corrections, the minutes were accepted as written and the agenda was approved by acclamation.

Remarks by Holly Spann: She thanked everyone for their assistance. She has sent Chair L. Newcomb a list of her activities and asked to let her know if she could assist us with mailings. She will be voting the first day of early voting at the McCullough Room.

Votes by email: Expenditures for the candidate postcards and stamps and for a billboard for Biden and Harris were approved by email vote. One motion was to approve $245 to print 2000 postcards and to spend $525 for postage. The motion carried. The motion to approve the billboard expenditure of $1125 was made by J. Crisp/R. Marriott, with total expenditure donated by J. Crisp, and passed.

Treasurer’s Report: R. Marriott reported after deposits our current balance would be $3,950.53, with some additional money to deposit. Payments have not yet been made for stamps, postcards, and the billboard. Available are ActBlue or mail to CCDP at PO Box 414, Ashland City, 37015 to purchase Democratic merchandise or donate (ActBlue website: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cheatham).

Online donations from July through October to date were $787.55; merchandise purchases were $267.88.

Committee Reports:

Advocacy Committee: Mike Lottman and Karen Stell attended the Cheatham County Commission meeting on September 21 to present on the need for mask wearing in Cheatham County. Two commissioners, Dr. Connie Mayo and Chris Gilmore, were contacted in advance of the meeting. They both favor mask wearing. Masks are required at the Commission meeting.

Election Committee: E. Roser said there are more than 30 volunteers assisting with the committee, mailing postcards and phone banking to targeted voters. Voters initially targeted included those who voted in the March primary and were 60 years of age or older; next were those 60 and over who did not vote in the primary but were likely Democratic; those less than 60 were also targeted. Also newly registered voters were being targeted. A new batch of postcards will also be mailed to targeted voters.

She also provided this information. Due to a court ruling, first time voters do not have to show up in person to vote; they can vote by mail if they are otherwise eligible. Those 60 and older can vote absentee. October 27 is the deadline to request absentee ballots. If you have a doctor’s note at the Election Commission, you can be on the permanent absentee voter list. Absentee ballots can be returned by the mail, Fed Ex, or USPS. Any ballots at the Ashland City Post Office by 4 pm Nov. 3 will go to the Cheatham County Election Commission. Check on govotetn.gov to check whether your absentee ballot has been received. Signup.com can be used to sign up for events and volunteering.

Event Committee: Community Together on the Cumberland was planned for October 10 from 10 to 4 at Riverbluff, Preacher Poole Park. Adrian Johnson discussed the precautions Ashland City was taking to provide security and safety for the event. L. Newcomb discussed the need for more volunteers. Due to concerns expressed about the coronavirus and other safety concerns, R. Marriott/ R. Fiedler made a motion to cancel CCDP participation in the event. Motion carried.

Chair’s Report: L. Newcomb discussed the signup app and the need for visibility at the polls. L. McGee volunteered to distribute signs in Joelton, and M. Wettemann will distribute them in Pleasant View. Chair Newcomb also note that CCDP can only spend $999 in a federal election without reporting.

Adjournment: J. Dooley/ J. Patrick made a motion to adjourn. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Submitted by Martha Wettemann, Secretary

Email: [email protected] Website: Cheathamdemocrats.org