Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Coordinated Campaign Office 931 Worcester Rd. Framingham, MA 01701
Meeting Minutes – Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Call to Order: Chair Beverly Hugo called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Note: prior to tonight’s meeting, there was phone-banking to NH from 4-6 PM, and a potluck social hour from 6-7 PM. This meeting was a joint meeting with the Ashland Democratic Town Committee until 8 PM, after which time the two Town Committees met individually. (Many thanks to the folks who brought food for the potluck supper.)
2. State House News: Rep. Tom Sannicandro noted that it was good news to see the Framingham & Ashland DTCs meeting together. Tom also mentioned his cooking show on Facebook, and noted Jack Lewis was working very hard on his campaign for representative of the 7th Middlesex District.
Statehouse report: Our Republican governor is beginning to exert his authority to choke MA government. Specifically, while the Commonwealth’s revenues in September were increased over previous years, the Governor is talking about making 9C cuts to the present budget. (“9C” refers to the section of the Massachusetts Constitution which requires annual spending cuts, if needed, to balance the budget before the end of the fiscal year. However, cuts are probably not necessary this year.) Because the Governor cannot take money from Chapter 70 funds or other powerful and outspoken targets, he will make cuts which take money from the “little people” who are not protected by lobbyists and attorneys. We need to be alert and encourage our elected officials to speak up loudly against this predatory behavior.
In response to a question, Tom noted that the new Chair of the Higher Ed Committee will be decided by House Speaker DeLeo. Rep. Chris Walsh is in line to become Chairman of one of the Committees.
3. Candidates update: Jack Lewis is working hard! He is having a fundraiser on Thursday Oct 20; visibility before the debate on Oct 25 at Ashland library, and on Sat 29th there will be GOTV canvassing and a half-marathon in Ashland.
4. Campaign Office update: the Office is open daily 11 AM to 8 PM, sometimes later. The wheelchair ramp mandated by the town has been rented for $774 until Nov. 11. As the polls are indicating close Presidential and Senatorial races in NH, help is needed. There are many jobs a volunteer can do.
5. Campaign updates:
– Democrat Chris Aleksov is running against Richard Ross for State Senator in Natick. See Chris Lorant for information.
– Norma Shulman and Ann Manning described Metrowest for Hillary, and the need for volunteers to phone bank and canvass in NH for Hillary, Maggie Hassan (US Senator), Carol Shea Porter (US Rep.), and Annie Kuster (US Rep.).
– Margareth Shepard reported on the success in mobilizing the Brazilian community for Hillary and in raising over $4000 by selling “Brazilians for Hillary” T-shirts.
6. Review of Ballot Questions: Jim Stockless gave a concise, informative presentation reviewing the four ballot questions with their relative merits, and sources of additional information. Very thorough and much appreciated, Jim!
Adjournment of Joint Meeting & Opening of Framingham Meeting:
7. Attendance: Members: Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Jeanne Eversley, Linda fields, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Jack Lewis, Chris Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Cindy Rubin, Margareth Shepard, Norma Shulman, Jim Stockless, P. Nandi Varis, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: none. Associate Members: Cynthia Villanueva. Guests: Sara Fontes, Carol Gloff, Rozzie Hooper-Helmsley, Makeda Keegan, Ohad Klopman, Chuck Lindz, David Rosenblum, MaryAnn Sannicandro, Tom Sannicandro.
8. September 18, 2016 Minutes: Secretary Barbara LeDuc Approved with one abstention
9. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Margareth Shepard Approved unanimously
A total income of $1,260.37 minus expenses of $2,831,90 decreased the 9-12-2016 balance of $4,832.35 to $3,260.82.
10. The next meeting will be on Nov. 20 at a location to be determined.
In response to a motion by Parwez Wahid, the schedule for the remainder of the year was approved unanimously. Parwez will post the schedule on our website. The Community Room at the Framingham Green is still under construction, so some date changes might be needed.
11. Charity for next month will be Daniel’s Table. Information on their needs will be forthcoming.
All business being concluded, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Thanks to everyone who brought food for the potluck supper.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara LeDuc, Secretary