Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Minutes of January 13, 2008
Attendance
Members: Elsa Aviza, Bob Berman, Gerard Desilets, Dawn Harkness, Beverly Hugo, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Laura Medrano, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Terene Micciche, Betty Muto, Joan Rastani, Pam Richardson, Pamela Roberts, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, John Stefanini, Parwez Wahid
Associate Members: Christopher Broyles, Bob Edwards
Guests: Jon Marker, David Henry, Drew O’Brien, Tom Sannicandro
Others: We unexpectedly ended up sharing the room in the Framingham Green with dozens of party goers celebrating a birthday. It was a bit crowded and noisy but we managed, and even joined in the “Happy Birthday” song.
Business
1. Treasurer’s Report received from Nancy Coville-Wallace):
| Cash on Hand as of 11/14/07 | 1763.16 |
| Dues Received | 140.00 |
| Dividends | |
| Other Income:
Nov. Dinner Holiday raffle Contribution |
380.00 43.00 10.00 |
| Net Income | 573.00 |
| Itemized Expenses | |
| Web-Site: | 26.10 |
| Caucus Rental Site | 100.00 |
| Net Expenses | 126.10 |
| Balance as of 1/12/08 | 2210.06 |
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. Wah
Ÿ Associate Members owing dues for 2006-07: 15 paidAssociate 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 November 4 accepted.
3. The upcoming February caucus was discussed, in which the Framingham Democrats would elect 15 men, 15 women, 1 either / or, and 3 alternates. Framingham’s number of convention attendees was reduced from last time because the number of registered Democrats in Framingham has gone down.
Announcements
1. A new set of officers will be elected in the March breakfast meeting. The nominating committee: Norma Shulman, Tom Mahoney, Stephanie Mercandetti, Pam Richardson are polling the members to form an officers’ slate that will be voted on, together with nominations from the floor.
2. On March 16th there is a brunch meeting at 11:30AM and will feature presentations from Democratic candidates contesting in the 2008 town elections. The brunch committee: Laura Medrano, Sarah Michiche, Elsa Aviza, Pam Roberts, Dawn Harkness, Gerry Desilets, Tom Sannicandro.
3. Bob Berman is running for Town Selectman, and would appreciate our help. Please contact Stephanie Mercandetti, his campaign manager.
4. Parwez Wahid and Karen Spilka are running for the State Committee.
Program:
Drew O’Brien, the state director of John Kerry’s Massachusetts senate office was the guest speaker. He talked about Senator Kerry’s accomplishments in helping Iraq war veterans, helping would-be citizens navigate the horrendous INS bureaucracy, and attending the global warming conference in Bali. Drew stated that the Senator is taking the upcoming elections very seriously, and mentioned how important seniority is in the Senate, and the committees Senator Kerry is on, which include being the Chair of Small Business Committee and a member of Foreign Relations Committee, and Chair of the Near East South and Central Asian Affairs. Drew explained the Democrats’ dismal Congress record after the 2006 victory, by pointing to the very slim majority in the Senate.
Jon Marker, the Metrowest Coordinator for Barack Obama’s campaign, gave out contact information for potential volunteers.
State Rep. Karen Splika, and Framingham Coordinator Norma Shulman did the same for Hillary Clinton‘s campaign.
News From the Hill:
Karen Spilka and Tom Sannicandro spoke among other things about the limited budget and the lower lottery revenues, which means hard choices have to be made; a new energy bill; a proposition to forbid cell phone use while driving.
Next Meeting – Brunch meeting at the Green, at 11:30 on March 16.
Rochelle Sivan · (508) 333-5698 · [email protected]