Framingham Democratic Town Caucus
January 30, 2005
6:45PM
Framingham Green
136 Maynard Road, Framingham
The following delegates to the 2005 Massachusetts State Convention from the Town of Framingham were elected at the Framingham Democratic Town Caucus:
WOMEN DELEGATES
Shelley Strowman
Stephanie Mercandetti
Terene Micciche
Sarah Micciche
Laura Medrano
Lee Mason
Nancy Coville-Wallace
Valerie Muvley
Elsa Aviza
Esther Hopkins
Rita Blum
Pam Roberts
Donna Howland
Rochelle Sivan
Kathy McCarthy
Faith Tolson Little
MEN DELEGATES
Chris Lorant
Matt Gilman
Cesar Monzon
David Magnani
Stephen Robinson
Steve Joyce
John Stefanini
Steve Grossman
Phil Ottaviani
Robert Berman
Alan Silver
Stan Berman
Chris Ross
Gerard Desilets
Shahid Khan
Carlos Cunningham
Parwez Wahid
35TH DELEGATE
Herb Chasan
The officers were authorized by a vote of the members to fill any vacancies in the delegation. Anyone interested in attending the convention should contact the Chair ASAP.
Envelopes with payment for the convention have to be mailed within 10 days of the caucus (1/30).
Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Minutes of January 30, 2005
Held at Framingham Green from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
Attendance
Members: Bob Berman, Rita Blum, Debby Blumer, Nancy Coville-Wallace, Carlos Cunningham, Jerry Desilets, Pat Dunne, Bill Haberman, Esther Hopkins, Donna Howland, Shahid Khan, Ruth Litter, Chris Lorant, Waldo Lyon, Dave Magnani, Tom Mahoney, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Cesar Monzon, Valerie Muvley, Phil Ottaviani, Chris Ross, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, John Stefanini, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid
Associate Members: Laura Medrano, Steve Robinson, Shelley Strowman
Additional Elected Officials: Karen Spilka, Tom Sannicandro
Some left over items from the Kerry campaign were offered to the attendance for purchase. Proceeds would be donated towards victims of the December 2004 Tsunami.
The attendance was at 29 members; this satisfied the minimum 24 members present needed for quorum; the bylaws amendments were taken up for discussion and vote.
Debby Blumer moved acceptance of the amendments.
Norm Shulman read the 20 amendments that had been sponsored by the Bylaws Subcommittee. There was a question on Amendment #11 on the role of the Affirmative Action & Outreach Advisor. The role as stated suggested that the Advisor would be seeking to encourage participation of target groups, it was felt that language should reflect that the members of target groups are encouraged to participate. Bill Haberman suggested a change to the amendment’s language to read “encourage the participation of individuals from affirmative action target groups”. This suggested change was accepted as an amendment to the previous motion.
A question was raised on Amendment #12 on the scheduling of the DTC’s annual meeting. A related point was also mentioned about the out-going chair heading the Town’s delegation to the state convention. It was stated that the language of this amendment was taken directly from the state charter guidelines.
Phil Ottaviani moved that the amendments be taken up for vote, seconded by Debby Blumer.
The 29 members present passed all 20 amendments, as amended, by unanimous vote.
Treasurer reported the DTC account has $1092.14. One membership is uncollected from last year. There are 9 unpaid members for the current year. There are 7 paid associate members.
Motion was made to accept the November 2004 minutes.
Certificate of Lifetime Membership was presented to Ruth Litter.
The event on March 5th was organized by the Democratic Alliance (formerly Metrowest Alliance). Chris Lorant has been representing the Framingham DTC at meetings of this group as an elected member of the Alliance. Three representatives (including the Chair) from the DTC will be Elected at the February meeting. The Alliance meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
Chris Lorant also made a pitch for Howard Dean who is seeking to become Chair of the Democratic National Committee. A petition website has been established: deanfordnc.org.
Program Committee reported that the program for the February 13th meeting would feature candidates for Town elections. For March the Program Committee is considering a mid-week program. It was mentioned that 2 members (Pat Dunne and Joan Rastani) were to be recognized on March 16th at the Salute To Framingham Dinner, therefore the Program Committee should avoid that date. There was also a request for the Program Committee to consider the topic of Early Primaries.
An event dubbed “Inaugural Bawl” was postponed due to the January 22nd snowstorm, and has now been scheduled for March 5th at the same location, Tin Alley Grill in Framingham.
An announcement was forwarded from Mr. Bob Edwards stating that the Human Relations Commission is meeting on February 10th to discuss the branch library.
Sarah Micciche announced the Relay For Life steering committee’s kickoff meeting in Natick on February 3rd at the Natick library; she distributed brochures on this subject.
Debby Blumer announced on Saturday March 12 9:30am a Commonwealth Legislative seminar at the Framingham Public Library to encourage participation of minorities explaining how to become involved in the political process. Senator Barrios of Cambridge is involved in the project.
Also Debby mentioned on Saturday February 12 a Money Conference with the State Treasurer at Framingham State College.
Cheryl Tully-Stoll mentioned a kickoff party for a Democratic candidate for Selectmen.
Valerie Mulvey mentioned the Celebration Committee would be meeting February 13, 5pm at the Columbus Club, holding a pasta dinner fund-raiser; proceeds to benefit the Flag Day Parade.
A request was made to find out more information about a group called the 21st Century Democrats, this group is apparently based in the mid-west and is seeking support for candidates in that region.
Former Vice Chair, Mat Helman, attended as a guest and was welcomed by the members.
Rochelle Sivan mentioned Democracy For America is looking for endorsements to support Howard Dean from Democratic Committees; this can be an agenda item for February.