| Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701
MINUTES — Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order: Chair Tom Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
2. Attendance: Members: Elsa Avisa, Nancy Coville Wallace, Carmen Chico, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Linda Fields, Adam Freudberg, Michael Hugo, Lloyd Kaye, Tom Mahoney, Stephanie Mercandetti, Farooq Mirza, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Parwez Wahid, Chris Walsh, and Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: None. Associate Members: Christopher Broyles, Jeanne I. Bullock, Barbara LeDuc, and Chris Lorant. Guests: Steve Bilafer, Wade Blackman, Rebecca G. Breslin, Deborah Butler, Barry Feingold, Phil Giffee, Steve Grossman, Steve Kerrigan, Mike Lake, Fred Rich LaRiccia, Marc Larson, Matt Larson, Anne Manning, Carl Sciortino, and Sheri L. Thomas,
3. 4/21/2013 Minutes: Secretary Jack Duffy Approved unanimously (as previously corrected)
4. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mel Warshaw Approved unanimously The report shows income since 4/21 of $328.26 ($255. dues received, $25 contribution from Lifetime Member Mary Murphy, $.26 CU dividends, and an additional $43. for 3/17 breakfast)—increasing our balance to $3,706.00.
5. Candidates’ Forum: Attendees heard 2-minute speeches, followed by 1 or 2 questions, from the following candidates: Barry Feingold (for Treasurer); Carl Sciortino (for U.S, Congress, Markey district); Mike Lake and Steve Kerrigan (both for Lt. Governor); and Steve Grossman (for Governor).
Norma Shulman and Wade Blackman, representing Cong. Ed Markey, (having won the April 30th. Democratic Primary, now the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate), urged us to volunteer at the Framingham Markey headquarters, 303 Worcester Road, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; informed us that HubDialer, which eliminates dialing and enables more contacts with actual voters, is generally available on Thursday nights; that we now have a Framingham for Markey page on the FDTC website, FraminghamDems.org; and that the GOTV (get out the vote) process will be from Friday, 6/21 to election day, Tuesday, 6/25/13.
6. Program: Using Social Media during Campaign: Anne Manning gave an informative presentation on the importance of the use of social media (primarily Facebook and Twitter, but also Instagram and YouTube) by Ed Markey’s Senate Campaign. Anne said that they include people’s stories, try to stay positive; have videos on the website; and use bitly.com to shorten URLs. She explained that the @ on Twitter refers to users (as in @EdMarkey), while the # refers to issues (as in #imwithed, #masen, and #mapoli); that a “share” is more powerful and seen by many, while a “like” is at the bottom of the page and might not be noticed as much; and that Mashable has a good introduction to Twitter.
7. Report from the Hill: Chris Walsh said he would be glad to host the annual picnic again at his house—this time on 8/25/13 from 4 to 7 p.m.; that Sen. Elizabeth Warren was terrific recently at FSU (Framingham State University); that the House was developing a good budget, is putting back some cuts, and that rejection of Governor Patrick’s proposal to cut sales taxes while raising income taxes is felt to be acceptable, because sales taxes in this state are not so regressive, because items like groceries are exempted. Jack Duffy objected that economists agree that our state sales tax is still much more regressive than our state income tax—as are most of our other revenue tools, such as the lottery, property taxes, auto excises, auto registration and license fees, gasoline taxes, and the proposed casinos.
8. Unfinished Business: Tom Mahoney discussed donating to OneFundBoston.org. The subcommittees that were formed in the April meeting (Congressional Primary Debate, Barbecue, and Committee Bylaws) have not yet met.
9. New Business: Tom Mahoney has been asked to mention that the Town of Framingham is inviting interested residents to consider working at polls as election officers for next year’s elections (hours 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Contact Tom if interested.
10. Announcements: Tom Mahoney announced that the Committee will elect an Affirmative Action Officer at the next meeting to fill the vacant post. So far, Jeff Cox has expressed a willingness to run.
Norma Shulman announced that the Friday night Summer Concerts, on Village Green (Centre Common) on Edgell Road, will begin 6/21, and run through 8/9. Norma also mentioned that a Framingham ActBlue page has been set up for Markey contributions.
Michael Hugo urged members who are not volunteering to do so, that elected members are expected to do so.
11. Next meeting’s Charity: The Committee agreed that next meeting’s charity will be A Place to Turn, a food pantry just over the line in Natick but serving Framingham as well. Non-perishables are requested.
12. Next regular meeting: Tom Mahoney set the next FDTC meeting for Sunday, 6/9/2013 at 7 p.m. at the Markey for U.S. Senate Campaign Office, 303 Worcester Road (Rt. 9 West, just before Rt. 126). (We are asking all members to come to the Office at 5:30 p.m. to make phone calls until 6:30 p.m., at which time pizza will be served.) A motion was made and passed that our Treasurer use his discretion in disbursing reasonable funds for pizza, beverages, and other needed items.
13. Adjourn: The FDTC meeting duly adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
—Respectfully submitted by Jack Duffy, Secretary, FDTC
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