Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of November 4, 2007

Attendance

Members: Elsa Aviza, Nancy Coville Wallace, Gerard Desilets, Pat Dunne, Beverly Hugo, Chris Lorant, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Betty Muto, Rep. Pam Richardson, Pamela Roberts, Norma Shulman, Rochelle Sivan, John Stefanini, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Christopher Broyles, Bob Edwards, Claire Farragher, Gerry Heng, Lloyd Kaye

Guests: Phil Dinsky, Kate Donaghue, Bill Dooling

Guest Speaker: Gus Bickford.

Business

1.        Treasurer’s Report from Nancy Coville-Wallace):

Dues:

Ÿ          Members owing dues for 2006-07: 3 unpaid members; 34 paid. Paid up members: E. Aviza, B. Berman, R. Black, R. Blum, R. Cotton, N. Coville Wallace, G. Desilets, P. Dunne, L. Fields, B. Haberman, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, S. Khan, R. Litter, C. Lorant,  T. Mahoney, K. McCarthy, S. Mercandetti, S. Micciche, T. Micciche, C. Monzon, V. Mulvey, B. Muto, P. Ottaviani, J. Rastani, C. Ross, N. Shulman, A. Silver, R. Sivan, J. Stefanini, C. Tully Stoll, P. Wahid

Ÿ          Members owing dues for 2007-08: 16 unpaid; 22 paid. Paid up Members: E. Avisa, N. Coville-Wallace, G. Desilets, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, B. Hugo, P. Ottaviani, S. Khan, L. Medrano, S. Mercandetti, M. Murphy, B. Muto, R. Litter, C. Lorant, K, McCarthy, S. Micciche, J. Rastini, P. Richardson, P. Roberts, N. Shulman, A. Silver, R. Sivan, C. Tully Stoll, P. Wahid

Ÿ          Associate Members owing dues for 2006-07: 15 paid

Ÿ          Associate Members owing dues for 2007-08: 9 paid.  Paid up Associates: C. Boyles, R. Edwards,C. Farragher, J. Feingold, D. Harkness, K. Harkness, G. Heng,  F. Mirza, , Laura Wells, George Wells

2.        Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Minutes from October 14 accepted.

3.        In 4 months there will be elections for the new slate of FDTC officers, and we need members for new or moribund committees such as Affirmative Actions, or Members Outreach.

4.        There was a suggestion to track attendance on the Web site, but it was mentioned that the attendance is always included in the minutes.

5.        Norma suggested name tags at meetings, as not all attendees always know each other.

6.        The February caucus was discussed. It was decided that Rochelle send out a survey to the members to decide upon the date. (That was subsequently done, and the caucus is going to take place on Feb. 10.)

7.        Parwez announced that Farouq Mirza and Bill Haberman had recently undergone surgery and would appreciate good wishes.

8.        The December Holiday party was discussed and a planning committee formed: Parwez, Laura, Elsa, Sarah, Pam Roberts, Norma, Rochelle.

9.        Parwez said that the NH primaries were coming soon, and that if you support any candidate, the time to volunteer is now. Norma Shulman and Kate Donaghue are strong supporters of Hillary Clinton and should be contacted if you want to join that effort, and Parwez Wahid, and Chris Lorant are good contacts for Obama supporters wanting to get involved.

Announcements:

1.        Kate Donaghue’s Holiday party on Dec. 9.

2.        Hospitality for January 13 meeting: John Stefanini and Rochelle Sivan.

Program: Our guest speaker was Gus Bickford, a Democratic National Committee member from Westford, and the Deputy Campaign Manager for Niki Tsongas’ campaign. He spoke about effective campaigning, the vast improvements in the Democrat’s voters database since year 2000, the improvements the new technologies have brought about, the successful 50 state strategy the DNC promotes which still lets the local state committees manage the details. But in the end, nothing is as effective as personal appeals from locals who know the voters.

Next Meeting – January 13, 2008

Rochelle Sivan · (508) 333-5698 · [email protected]

Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of October 14, 2007

Attendance

Members: Elsa Aviza, Nancy Coville Wallace, Gerard Desilets, Esther Hopkins, Beverly Hugo (new), Chris Lorant, Laura Medrano (new), Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Valerie Mulvey, Joan Rastani, Pamela Roberts (new), Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, John Stefanini, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Christopher Broyles, Bob Edwards, Claire Farragher, Dawn Harkness, Steve Joyce, Farooq Mirza

Guest Speaker: Michael Hugo

Business

1.        Treasurer’s Report from Nancy Coville-Wallace):

Dues as of October 13:

Ÿ          Members owing dues for 2006-07: 3 unpaid members; 34 paid. Paid up members: E. Aviza, B. Berman, R. Black, R. Blum, R. Cotton, N. Coville Wallace, G. Desilets, P. Dunne, L. Fields, B. Haberman, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, S. Khan, R. Litter, C. Lorant,  T. Mahoney, K. McCarthy, S. Mercandetti, S. Micciche, T. Micciche, C. Monzon, V. Mulvey, B. Muto, P. Ottaviani, J. Rastani, C. Ross, N. Shulman, A. Silver, R. Sivan, J. Stefanini, C. Tully Stoll, P. Wahid

Ÿ          Members owing dues for 2007-08: 20 unpaid; 16 paid. Paid up Members: E. Aviza, N. Coville Wallace, G. Desilets, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, S. Khan, C. Lorant, K. McCarthy, S. Mercandetti, S. Micciche, M. Murphy, J. Rastini, N. Shulman, A. Silber, R. Sivan, P. Wahid

Ÿ          Associate Members owing dues for 2006-07: 15 paid

Ÿ          Associate Members owing dues for 2007-08: 12 paid, 9 unpaid.  Paid up Associates: C. Boyles, R. Edwards, C. Farragher, D. Harkness, K. Harkness, G. Heng, B. Hugo, F. Mirza,  P. Richardson, P. Roberts, Laura Wells, George Wells

2.        Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Amended minutes from September 9 accepted.

3.        The results of the survey that Parwez sent out to all to choose the most convenient FDTC meeting day of the week: Sunday shall remain the day the FDTC convenes, by a considerable margin.

4.        Voting was held to fill the 4 vacancies on the FDTC. The nominees: Bob Edwards, Dawn Harkness, Beverly Hugo, Laura Medrano, Rep. Pam Richardson, Pam Roberts. The nominees who were present each gave a short speech, and Parwez read a letter from Rep. Pam Richardson, who couldn’t attend the meeting. The following were elected: Beverly Hugo, Laura Medrano, Pam Richardson, Pam Roberts.  Congratulations!

Announcements:

1.        Cheryl Tully Stoll announced the dedication of a Memorial Building hearing room in honor of state Rep. Deborah Blumer, on October 15.

2.        Parwez Wahid announced again the Pasta Dinner, taking place on November 4^th, an hour before the regular meeting, in the regular place. The special guest – Augustus Bickform from the DNC. The volunteers: Parwez Wahid, Sarah Michiche, Jerry Desilets, John Stefanini.

3.        The Holiday party will be on December 2.

4.        There will be training in the skills needed to create national change at the local level. It

5.        On the weekend of November 16 – 18 in Manchester, NH at the Radisson hotel there will training for campaigns and chapter building; and there will also be an opportunity to see some of the candidates. The cost is 45$ which includes some meals. For more information call 603-4548557.

Program: Our guest speaker was Michael Hugo, a personal friend of John Edwards for 15 years, who spoke about why we should support John Edwards’ candidacy:

Ÿ         John Edwards strived hard to achieve his goals as a senator and will do the same as a president.

Ÿ         He’s the most electable candidate

Ÿ         93% of the contributions to his campaign are in amounts under 100$

Ÿ         John Edwards’ actions match his words – his commitment to fighting poverty is such that he founded the University of North Carolina Poverty Law Center, and would spend much of his time there.

Ÿ         He has many good ideas to return power to the people and to turn the country around:

Þ      Fighting lobbyists and special interests

Þ      Lowering the maximum contribution per cycle to 1000$

Þ      Having the government double the small amount contributions to somewhat level the playing field

Þ      Lower the price of drugs by prohibiting the advertising by the drug companies

Þ      Same day registration on Election day

Þ      Allowing felons to vote after their sentences are done

Þ      Reducing the troops level in Iraq by 40 = 50 thousand immediately, and afterwards bringing the rest home within 9 to 10 months

Next Meeting – November 4, 2007, after the 5:30 Pasta Dinner.

Rochelle Sivan · (508) 333-5698 · [email protected]

Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of September 9, 2007

Attendance

Members: Elsa Aviza, Nancy Coville Wallace, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Christopher Broyles, Bob Edwards, Claire Farragher, Beverly Hugo, Lloyd Kaye, Laura Medrano, Rep. Pam Richardson, Pamela Roberts

Guests: Alan Frankel

Guest Speaker: Major Peter Capuzzi

Business

• Treasurer’s Report from Nancy Coville-Wallace):

Dues as of June 9:

• Members owing dues for 2006-07: 3 unpaid members; 34 paid. Paid up members: E. Aviza, B. Berman, R. Black, R. Blum, R. Cotton, N. Coville Wallace, G. Desilets, P. Dunne, L. Fields, B. Haberman, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, S. Khan, R. Litter, C. Lorant, T. Mahoney, K. McCarthy, S. Mercandetti, S. Micciche, T. Micciche, C. Monzon, V. Mulvey, B. Muto, P. Ottaviani, J. Rastani, C. Ross, N. Shulman, A. Silver, R. Sivan, J. Stefanini, C. Tully Stoll, P. Wahid
• Members owing dues for 2007-08: 22 unpaid; 15 paid. Paid up Members: E. Aviza, N. Coville Wallace, G. Desilets, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, S. Khan, C. Lorant, S. Mercandetti, S. Micciche, M. Murphy, J. Rastini, N. Shulman, A. Silber, R. Sivan, P. Wahid
• Associate Members owing dues for 2006-07: 15 paid
• Associate Members owing dues for 2007-08: 11 paid, 7 unpaid.

• Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Minutes from June 10 accepted.
• Norma Shulman gave a report on the FDTC table at the Friday Concerts on the Green: 18 people filled out voter registration forms; and flyers with the Democratic candidates’ websites ans brochures with health insurance information were handed out. The Children’s Primary was a big success with 313 participants who voted for the Democratic candidates. The votes were tallied in the final concert and an article about it appeared in the Tab. Final results: Clinton, 141 (45%); Obama, 65 (20.8%); Edwards, 35 (11.2%); Biden, 15 (4.8%); Dodd, 13 (4.2%); Gravel, 11 (3.5%); Kucinich, 8 (2.6%); Richardson, 6 (1.9%); LaMagna, 2 (0.6%); other, 17.
• Former state Sen. David Magnani is resigning from the FDTC because of his new position as executive director of Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, a statewide organization recently created to support and promote the state’s 25,000 nonprofit groups. That job means he can no longer be publicly involved in partisan politics, so he is leaving the FDTC and resigning as area coordinator for Barak Obama. David Magnani invited any local non-profit to contact him. By the way – the Chief Operating Officer in Massachusetts Nonprofit Network is going to be our own Stephanie Mercandetti. Congratulations!
• Rosalie Cotton, living half of the year outside Framingham, is changing her status to Associate Member.
• There are now 4 vacancies in the FDTC. Any registered Democrat in Framingham is eligible to seek election to these four vacancies. Nominations will be taken from the floor of the meeting. A candidate must be nominated and seconded by a member of the Framingham DTC. If more than four candidates are nominated balloting will conducted, the top four vote recipients will be declared the winners.
• The state party has determined that this year’s caucus should be between the first Saturday of February and the following Sunday.
• There are members who can’t attend meetings during the weekends and so Parwez is sending out a survey to see if we can change the day of the week we have our meetings. The votes have to be in by September 30^th.

2. Pam Roberts and Rochelle Sivan volunteered to help Parwez with the maintenance of the FDTC website – https://framinghamdems.org.

• Parwez Wahid, as a Democratic State Committee member is expected to raise 100$ for the campaign of Niki Tsongas, who won the primary in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan, and the question was whether to use the FDTC funds for this purpose. Points from the debate:

• Alan Silver: Why donate money for this election and not for others? Reply: this is a special election and the State Committee does not want to lose the seat.
• Stephanie Mercandetti: Do we have to help the other DSC members raise their 100$ as well? Reply – No, because Parwez Wahid is the only active DSC member who resides in Framingham

Norma Shulman moved to donate the 100$ from the FDTC funds. Joan Rastani seconded the motion and it passed with 7 ayes.

11. Pam Roberts gave a report on the Issues committee which was created in May to draft policy papers to be presented to the FDTC. The 4 Issues committee members chose the following 4 topics to concentrate on, which they divided among themselves. They are looking for volunteers and interested parties to participate in the conversation, so if anyone (not just FDTC members) wants to help shape the papers, please contact me or any other Issues committee member.

• Foreign Policy: Lloyd Kaye
• Health Insurance: Cheryl Tully Stoll
• Economic Policy concentrating on jobs: Pam Roberts
• Environment / Energy: Rochelle Sivan

Announcements:

• Chris Ross is resigning as Membership and Outreach Officer, so a replacement is needed.
• Bob Edwards returned as an Associate Member. Welcome!
• There will be a Pasta Dinner, November 4^th, an hour before the regular meeting
• The Holiday party will be on December 2.
• Alan Frankel – Co-Chair of the Committee Advisory Board for Boston Progressive Talk Radio talked about the organization.

• Jeff Santos, the former local talk show host, is the head of the board.
• With the shutting down of Air America radio here last year, there is only Conservative talk radio in the Boston area. This is harmful, as this lets the Conservatives define the Democrats and their ideas.
• Howard Dean gave credit to progressive radio for the last victory in the elections. Immediately afterwards, progressive radio was taken off the airways here and in other communities.
• The group is working with Michael Dukakis, Scott Harshburger, Jim Roosevelt and others to find investors to buy a radio station.

4. Hospitality for next meeting – Elsa Avisa and Laura Medrano

Report from the Hill – Rep. Pam Richardson:

• Has filed 19 bills
• As the bill to prevent head injuries by mandating the use of helmets in soccer was stalled Pam Richardson has filed a bill to collect statistic on sport injuries in the state, to see which sports are dangerous and what steps can be taken to lower the risks.
• The bill to let municipalities join the GIC state health insurance won’t help Framingham, but will help other towns.
• Massachusetts’ incentives for the film industry is producing results
• There’s a bill to help prevent identity theft prevention.

Program: Our guest speaker was Major Peter Capuzzi, an ex-marine who has served more than 10 years in the Marines. Major Capuzzi returned from Iraq this April, and has been a civilian since August 1. He currently lives in Framingham and is Elsa Avisa‘s son-in-law. Some highlights:

• Peter Capuzzi enlisted in the Marines in his Senior year at Georgetown University when he attended officer training school, because he wanted to serve his country. He served in Kuwait and most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was in Afghanistan during the elections and commanded 250 marines and was in charge of a territory the size of several states. Then he was stationed in Haditha, Iraq, after the killing of the Iraqi noncombatants by marines had taken place.
• Major Capuzzi admitted the current situation in Iraq is not good and that many mistakes were made, but he said the situation looks very different from right there than from far away.

Next Meeting – October 14, 2007

Rochelle Sivan · (508) 333-5698 · [email protected]