Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of April 1, 2007

Attendance

Members: Elsa Aviza, Nancy Coville Wallace, Esther Hopkins, Donna Howland, Shahid Khan, Chris Lorant, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Gerry Heng, Beverly Hugo, Laura Medrano, Pamela Roberts

Guests: Laura Wells, George Wells, Shirley Rovezzi, Amar Sewsankar, Kate Donaghue, Donna Kramer Merrit, Rep. Pam Richardson

Business

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

• Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Minutes from March 11 accepted.
• Programming Committee was formed. The members: Sarah Micciche, Laura Medrano, Elsa Avis, Pam Roberts.
• A motion was passed to donate 100$ to the Green’s Tenants’ Association.
• Laura reported the success of the March breakfast meeting, where 391$ was raised.
• Norma and Elsa reported on their investigations into buying a canopy for the FDTC for events like Flag Day. The options range from getting an old canopy from the town (if the town replaces its old canopies) to buying a new one for prices ranging from 69$ to more than 200$. They suggested waiting a month or so in hope the prices come down.
• Parwez is considering holding an Independence Day barbecue on June 30 or July 11, to which Lt. Governor Tim Murray would be invited.
• Nancy announced that membership dues for 2007 – 2008 are due.
• The hospitality committee for the next meeting – Pam Roberts and Beverly Hugo.

Announcements:

• Gerald Heng talked about the organization Universal Health Care Education fund which has an office in Boston and is advocating for national health care, in the model of Germany or Canada. Illegal immigrants especially have a big problem obtaining health care, because of their language problems, unfamiliarity with the system, and their lack of time to attend to their health. He discussed the many flaws of the Massachusetts plan – the deductibles are too onerous for low income residents, and the 30,000$ a year income level threshold which you have to be under to get state aid in buying insurance is ridiculously low. Our Democratic values mandate finding a better, more inclusive solution. In May they’ll have another meeting on this.
• Kate Donaghue, representative of the Middlesex and Worcestor Democratic Coalition, member of the Democratic state committee, member of the Deval Patrick committee, member of the Jamie Eldridge for Congress Campaign:

• Thanked the FDTC for the donation to the brunch, and the attendance of several members
• Announced the Hudson Town meeting with Deval Patrick on April 25, Comedy night on April 19 hosted by the Maynard DTC

• Invited people to go to the website www.devalpatrick.com

• Jamie Eldridge is running for the 5^th congressional district. He was a coordinator for the Deval Patrick campaign, has been very active doing grass roots work, and Kate highly recommends him as a candidate. She is asking for Framingham volunteers – it‘s right next door!

Guest Speaker – Donna Kramer Merritt

Donna Kramer Merritt is from the Climate project, an organization dedicated to fighting global warming, headed by Vice President Al Gore, and she’s also an associate publisher of Body & Soul magazine, a subsidiary of Martha Stewart’s Living. She gave a video presentation about global warming. Some points:

• She was inspired by the movie “Inconvenient Truth” to volunteer for the Climate Project. After being accepted, she went through several months of training, with 150 others, including Cameron Diaz (and Al Gore).
• No credible scientists remain who refute the fact of global warming and humanity’s part in it.
• The anticipated rise of the seas, even in the best case scenarios, will put parts of Boston under water.
• There are actions we all can take to make a difference – go to www.theclimateproject.org.
• She’s available to give presentations to organizations, civic groups, etc., so if you’re interested, please contact her at [email protected].

Special Guest – Amar Sewsankar

Amar played a song from his anti-war CD that he composed himself about peace.

Report from the Hill – Rep. Pam Richardson

• Rep. Richardson talked about the overrun in the school expenses, caused because of the unexpected arrival of 84 children this year. There is a circuit-breaker that funnels funds, but this didn’t trigger it. It costs Framingham 8000$ a year to educate the average student, and 4 times that much for special needs. Next year Framingham will get more funds, but this year we’re facing “heinous” cuts in the words of Norma Shulman. She urged everyone to attend the School Committee meeting taking place that week.

Next Meeting – May 6, 2007

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

Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of March 11, 2007 (Breakfast Meeting)

Held at The Green at 10:30 AM.

Attendance

Members: Elsa Avisa, Bob Berman, Rita Blum,Gerard Desilets, Pat Dunne, Esther Hopkins, Donna Howland, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Cesar Monzon, Valerie Mulvey, Mary Murphy, Betty Muto, Joan Rastani, Chris Ross, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Gerry Heng, Beverly Hugo, Laura Medrano, Farooq Mirza, Pamela Roberts

Presentations by Candidates for Town Offices

Reminder – elections this Tuesday, March 27!

The candidates were given 2 minutes to talk about their qualifications and why they were running for office, and then more time to answer questions. Jerry Desilets was the able moderator for the event.

• Adam Blumer – School Committee, 3 years
• Steven Hakar – School Committee, 3 years
• Ceasar Monzon (Incumbent) – School Committee, 3 years
• Adam Blumer – School Committee, 3 years
• Beverly Hugo – School Committee, 2 years
• Charles Sisitsky (Incumbent) – Selectman
• Ginger Esty (Incumbent) – Selectman
• Thomas Leddy – Keefe Tech School Committee
• John Kahn (Incumbent) – Keefe Tech School Committee (John Kahn was absent because of illness, so a statement was read out)
• Elizabeth Fideler – Library Trustee, 3 years (write-in candidate)
• Danielle Barney – Library Trustee, 1 years (write-in candidate)

Business

• Joan Rastani presented the report of the Caucus Committee:
  On Feb. 11 the FTDC had the caucus for the 2007 Democratic Convention which will take place on May 10 at UMASS Amherst. Results – Female delegates: Elsa Avisa, Claire Farragher, Dawn Harkness, Kristin Harkness, Esther Hopkins, Beverly Hugo, Lora McCoy, Dylan McCoy, Laura Medrano, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Faith Tolson-Pierce, Joan Rastani, Pam Roberts, Norma Shulman, Rochelle Sivan, Carol Spack. Male delegates: Robert Berman, Carlos Cunningham, Gerard Desilets, Gerald Heng, Stephen Joyce, Lloyd Kaye, Chris Lorant, Michael Magnani, David Magnani, Farooq Mirza, Wesley Ritchie, Alan Silber, John Stefanini. Alternate delegate: Maureen Dunne. Add-on delegate: Kathie McCarthy. Coming as Ex-officio delegates: Parwez Wahid FDTC Chair, and Rep. Pam Richardson.
  Caucus Committee: Parwez, Norma, Joan and Rochelle. Bob Berman assisted with registration.
• Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Minutes from January 21 accepted.
• The May meeting was moved to May 6^th.
• Elsa Avisa and Norma Shulman volunteered to buy or obtain a canopy which the committee could use for future Flag Days and Concerts on the Green.
• It was moved that the DTC contribute 50$ to sponsor the MW Dems Brunch which will take place at 10am in Hudson, on March 25^th, at the Portuguese Club.
• Sarah Micciche was elected as the new Vice Chair, and Elsa Avisa was elected to fill the vacancy in membership. Congratulations to Sarah and Elsa!
• There will now be beverages and possibly snacks offered at the DTC meetings. The responsibility for providing the refreshments will rotate each meeting, two at a time. 50$ was appropriated for this purpose. The first volunteers for the next DTC meeting – Pam Roberts and Rochelle Sivan.

Other Speakers / Announcements

• Robert Cassidy from the State Committee talked about his efforts to bring about a change in how driver licenses in Massachusetts get revoked in cases of handicaps or disabilities. Currently, a driver license can be revoked within 14 days at a policeman’s request, without even a hearing. Bob wants this policy changed to enable the driver to at least have a hearing. (SD01196, submitted by Sen. Karen Spilka).
• Norma Shulman and Donna Howland talked about the great success of the showing of the movie “An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore. It was such a success that there will be another showing, but perhaps this time in a larger venue.

• Rochelle Sivan talked about the committee to save progressive radio in Boston. http://www.bostonprogressivetalk.net

• On April 12, from 8 to 10am, the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce is having a breakfast at the Framingham Sheraton hotel with keynote speaker Gov. Deval Patrick who will talk about civic engagement.

Report from the Hill – Sen. Karen Spilka

• The budget came out. Framingham got more than before – more from the state lottery; transportation will now be included in the special ed. budget; E.S.L. got more funds; and the Chapter 70 school funding formula now weighs each district’s aggregate income and aggregate property wealth equally in calculating its target local contribution, and this benefits Framingham.
• The committees structures were finalized. Sen. Spilka is chair of the Children & Families Committee.
• Sen. Spilka is pushing to allow municipalities other means of raising money, such as a meals tax.

Report from the Hill – Rep. Pam Richardson

• Despite what’s in the newspapers there’s support for Gov. Patrick in the Legislature, and the Governor shows an active interest and attends meetings and asks questions.
• The 2 Framingham reps (Tom Sannicandro and Pam Richardson) are looking at public housing. Framingham has 1000 units.
• Tom Sannicandro and Pam Richardson are going to meet with the Ways and Means Chair.

Next Meeting – April 1, 7:00pm, The Framingham Green

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

Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of January 21, 2007

Held at The Green at 4:00 PM.

Attendance

Members:Bob Berman, Randy Black, Rita Blum, Rosalie Cotton, Nancy Coville Wallace, Gerard Desilets, Pat Dunne, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Valerie Mulvey, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Elsa Aviza, Maureen Dunne (new), Kristin Harkness (new), Jerry Heng, Beverly Hugo (new), Steve Joyce, Laura Medrano

Guests: Adam Blumer, Kate Donaghue, Claire Farragher, Rep. Pam Richardson, Wes Ritchie, Steve Robinson, Sen. Karen Spilka

Business

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

Members with paid dues 2006-2007: 34 Members paid: R. Berman, R. Black, R. Blum ,D. Blumer, R. Cotton, N. Coville Wallace, G. Desilets, P. Dunne, L. Fields, W. Haberman, E. Hopkins, D. Howland, S. Kahn, R. Litter, C. Lorant, K. McCarthy, S. Mercandetti, D. Magnani, T. Mahoney, S. Micciche, T. Micciche ,C. Monzon, V. Mulvey, M. Murphy, B. Muto, P. Ottaviani, J. Rastani, C. Ross, N. Shulman, A. Silver, R. Sivan,J. Steffanini, C. Tully Stoll, P. Wahid

• Minutes (Rochelle Sivan): Minutes from Sep. 17, Oct. 15-17, Oct. 29, Nov. 12 accepted.
• Holiday Party Report (Elsa Aviza):

Parwez Wahid initiated a FDTC holiday party, which was held at Summerville on Farm Pond on Dec. 10, and was planned and executed by the party committee which consisted of Donna Howland, Sarah Micciche, Laura Medrano, Pam Roberts, Elsa Aviza and Parwez Wahid. The committee thanked the FDTC members for their help, with special thanks to Clare Kelly for donating autographed photos of Deval Patrick and Tim Murray and to Norma Shulman who besides being her usual helpful self, contributed prizes for the raffle and sold tickets totaling $100!

The planned guest of honor Lt. Governor-Elect Tim Murray unfortunately couldn’t attend, but Sen. Karen Spilka, Rep Pam Richardson, Clerk of Courts Mike Sullivan, Rep. Tom Conroy, Clare Kelly from the Metrowest Campaign Field Office, and State Party Committee members Kate Donaghue, Robert Cassidy, James McGowan, Mel and Tina Poindexter did attend, as well as potential candidates for the upcoming local elections, who used the opportunity to mingle and collect signatures.

The party gave us all a chance to share good food and conversation and to remember an extraordinary year and to celebrate and congratulate ourselves for all of our activities during the campaign, which helped bring about the historic victories of Deval Patrick and Tim Murray, to say nothing of the Democratic victories throughout the state and country. All in all, it was a huge success. Congratulations to the committee and to everyone who was involved!

4. Parwez mentioned the Middlesex Worcester and Norfolk Alliance meetings where the FDTC is represented by Chris Lorant, Stephanie Mercandetti and Parwez Wahid.
5. There was a suggestion to hold a breakfast at 10:30AM at the Green for the March meeting, with $5 tickets being sold to the general public, and with invitations for all of the Democratic candidates for the upcoming Town elections. Jerry Desilets moved to have the Chair make the final decision about the breakfast and the motion passed. A committee was formed: Sarah Micciche, Laura Medrano, Rochelle Sivan.
6. There was no voting for the vacancies (DTC member, Vice Chair). It was felt that not enough time was given for potential candidates to come forward. Jerry Desilets moved to delay the voting until the next business meeting (March), and the motion passed.
7. The caucus meeting is going to be held in February. A committee was formed: Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Rochelle Sivan.

Guest Speaker – Kate Donaghue Member of the State Committee

• New caucus rules for the upcoming Issues Convention being held on May 19 in Amherst:

• The 15 minute grace period after the official caucus start has been abolished – attendees must be present at designated time.
• You have to be physically present to be elected.
• The Committee Chair at the time of the caucus is the ex-officio Delegate to the Convention, instead of the Chair at the time of the convention.

2. There will be 10 hearings held in March, titled “March for Democratic Action” where there’ll be discussions about the grass roots activities that took place and about what worked (the high level of activism in Framingham / Metrowest; Pam Richardson’s election), and what didn’t. The best ideas will be presented at the convention.
3. This will be a one day convention and nothing will take place the preceding Friday, in contrast to previous years, to make it easier to attend.
4. The breakout sessions will be identical in content to each other.
5. Kate discussed her dinner with Deval Patrick, which she won by getting 500 signed green cards of support. Unsurprisingly, her report of event was very complimentary.
6. Kate mentioned the upcoming Roosevelt dinner, the party’s main fundraising tool. The 500,000$ the State Committee donated to the Patrick campaign after the primaries was an important piece to the victory, and was given based on lessons learned from Shannon O’Brien’s campaign, which was silenced at a crucial moment when the money ran out just after the primary.
7. A FDR’s 125th Birthday Celebration at FDR Museum in Worcester will take place on January 30.
8. The DTC membership does not have to be gender balanced, but the positions of Chair and Vice Chair do. A loophole is to have 2 Vice Chair positions open and to leave one of them unfilled.

Report from the Hill – Rep. Pam Richardson

• There have been no formal meetings, but they were all sworn in.
• The 2 Framingham reps (Tom Sannicandro and Pam Richardson) are holding meetings in the near future with the Town Manager and Superintendent and with the town Selectmen to discuss priorities.

Report from the Hill – Sen. Karen Spilka

• There’s a new atmosphere of partnership and respect between the executive and legislative branches. Her name is remembered by the governor and her phone calls are returned, a refreshing change from the previous administration.
• The Middlesex Worcester and Norfolk Alliance is being revived. The kick-off meeting is on Monday, January 29, 7 PM at Mickey Cassidy’s, Route 109 in Medway. John Walsh will be the guest speaker. Karen urged everyone to attend.
• The committees should be determined by the end of the month, and not many structural changes are anticipated.

Next Meeting – February 11 (Caucus)

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