January 4, 2022 minutes
Cheatham County Democratic Party
Regular Monthly Meeting
January 4, 2022, Zoom
Attendance
Present: Aric Storck (P), John Patrick (VP), Elena Roser (VP), Martha Wettemann (S), Karen Stell (T), Lynn Newcomb (PP). Dist. 1, Prec. 1: Galen Gray, Rick Johnson, Roger Marriott. Dist. 3: Ryan Philipp, Lynn Seifert. Dist. 5, Prec, 1,2: Randy Fiedler, Joanne Jaworski, Beth Ervin, Kathryn Mitchem. Dist. 6, Prec. 6-1: Michael Lottman.
Absent: Dist. 2, Prec. 2-2: Peggy Kilgore, Jack Kilgore (ill), Randy Baker. Dist. 4: Dennis Barnes. Dist. 6: Jan Morrison, Gerald Dooley.
Excused: Dist. 3: Lisa Walker. Dist. 4:Linda McGee.
Guests: Matthew Binkley.
Committees: (committees are not limited to the Executive Committee):
Advocacy Committee: Martha Wettemann (chair), Rick Johnson, John Patrick, Linda McGee.
Elections Committee: Elena Roser (chair), Kathryn Mitchem (phone banking), John Patrick, Martha Wettemann, Jan Morrison.
Events Committee (including Forums): Randy Fiedler (chair), Michael Lottman, Roger Marriott, Lynn Newcomb, Ryan Philipp (event planning/coordination), Karen Stell, Linda McGee.
Social/Print Media: Michael Lottman (print chair), Karen Stell (web site chair)(advocacy posting on web site), Beth Ervin (social media).
Nominating: L. Newcomb, Elena Roser (co-chairs). Membership/recruitment- Ryan Philipp.
Federation of Democratic Women: Lynn Newcomb (chair), Joanne Jaworski.
Call to order: Chair A. Storck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attendance: A quorum was present. Motion by M. Wettemann/E. Roser to excuse Linda McGee and Lisa Walker. The motion was carried.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda for the Meeting. K. Stell/ R. Marriott moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting and the agenda for the current meeting. The motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: K. Stell reported that current balance was $3,600.98. From January to December,2021, $1360 was raised. She provided information on monthly donations during 2021. After discussion about the need for fundraising (noting two upcoming elections of May 3 and August 4), chair A. Storck requested that K. Stell be the active lead in setting up a meeting of the officers around January 17-18 to work on a fundraising plan to be in place by the end of January. K. Stell agreed to do this. M. Wettemann volunteered to draft a fundraising letter.
Committee Reports
Advocacy Committee: J. Patrick, CC School Board member for District 2, reported that the Cheatham County School District is a finalist in receiving a grant for a solar installation at Sycamore High School. There is a meeting set up with TVA on January 21 to start talking about contracts. He is also working with the School District on writing a request for a one-year planning grant to the USDA on Farm to School which would involve nutrition education, CTE, the FFA student association, and involvement from the Farm Bureau. Murfreesboro City Schools is a model. Chair Storck asked that John provide a paragraph of information on this.
- Wettemann, committee chair, had sent information to the CCDP Executive Committee on Gov. Lee’s TN Public Education Funding Review and asked that Executive Committee members send in comments about the need for more education funding for Cheatham County and our public schools in general to [email protected] by January 14, the last day for comments. She reported the concern is that the principle of “funding following the student” will cause more public school funding to flow to charter schools which is generally opposed by rural county legislators. TN is 45th in public school funding and our overall funding needs to increase. L. Newcomb was posting information to the County Chairs Association.
Wettemann also stated that redistricting is likely to be voted on on January 10 when the legislature convenes. After discussion regarding lack of information on proposed maps, M. Lottman volunteered to research whether there may be lawsuits in TN challenging redistricting. Wettemann also reported there would be a candlelight vigil in Centennial Park on January 6 at 5 pm commemorating the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Events Committee: R. Fiedler and J. Jaworkski reported on the pet food drive. It appears several hundred pounds may have been collected. The motion by R. Marriott/L. Newcomb to donate $300 to the Cheatham County Animal Shelter was passed. After discussion, Chair A. Storck asked R. Fiedler to contact the Animal Shelter regarding a possible later morning food delivery/ PR opportunity on January 15 and to provide information to M. Lottman for an article for the Cheatham County Exchange. R. Fiedler will check with the Shelter about this and provide information.
Marrowbone CC Democratic Holiday “Drop-in” December 15: Fun was had by the Executive Committee and spouses and several guests.
Elections Committee: E. Roser reported that there is a Zoom call set up for January 15 at 6 p.m. for us to talk with any candidates who have been recruited by the Contest Every Race organization to run as candidates in local and state elections. The goal of the meeting is to introduce ourselves, say we have an active Democratic Party, talk about resources we may have, and see if we feel they would be good candidates to support. If individuals have been recruited, we will get a list next week. She said if anyone knows other candidates they could be invited to this meeting. She plans an Elections Committee meeting on January 9.
Other possible candidates: R. Fiedler is considering running for alderman in Pegram. John Patrick has been redistricted to District 1 but can serve in District 2 until 2024. Krystal James may run as an independent for state representative.
- Newcomb said that she is working with Organize Tennessee, the Civic Tennessee Coalition, headed by Chas Uffelman, to schedule a poll observer training on Zoom for January 13. Those interested should let her know. With regard to the rural caucus, there are Facebook groups she can post to; also Slack groups for social media for counties.
- Wettemann said she had contacted the Election Commission and would be getting an updated file of who voted in the Ashland City election in December. Results indicated that Nicole Binkley and Tim Adkins were tied in early voting; and Jane Crisp was only 10 votes below Tony Young in early voting. She suggested talking to our Election Commission representatives about more convenient early voting times.
New Business: M. Binkley is interested in an Executive Committee position for District 2 if it is available. M. Wettemann will check attendance records and also contact several individuals who have not been able to attend about their current interest, checking with the bylaws.
- Patrick/R. Fieldler moved to adjourn. The motion carried, with the meeting adjourned at 7:25.
Submitted by Martha Wettemann, Secretary.
January 9, 2022