| Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701
MINUTES — Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
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| 1. Call to Order: Chair Tom Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., following a 15-minute food and socialization period.
2. Attendance: Members: Elsa Aviza, Carmen Chico, Jeff Cox, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Pat Dunne, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Stephan Joyce, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Betty Muto, Ilma Paixao, Ramuel Raagas, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Parwez Wahid, Chris Walsh, Mel Warshaw, Lifetime Members: none. Associate Members: Jeanne I. Bullock, Barbara LeDuc, Chris Lorant. Guests: Juan Aurelio López, Don Berwick, Joe Caiazzo, Tom Conroy, Bob Jubinville, Juliette Kayyem, Tammy Laverty, Barbara LeDuc, Martin Long, David Marsh, Tom McGee, Ryanne Olsen, Tom Sannicandro, Karen Spilka, Sheri L. Thomas, and Jorge Vargas.
3. Report from the Debate Subcommittee: Co-Chair Beverly Hugo reported that the subcommittee (co-chaired by Joan Rastani) has worked hard to complete the many details to prepare for a successful event; that the doors for the 5th. Congressional District Candidates’ Forum (on Sunday, 9/22/13, at Dwight Hall at Framingham State University) will open at 6 p.m.; that all seven candidates will attend; that Michael Hugo will be the time-keeper; and that the forum will run from 7 to 9 p.m., and will be followed by socialization until 9:30 p.m.
4. Candidates/guests forum (brief presentation): We heard from the following: Martin Long and Sen. Karen Spilka, candidates for Congress (U.S. House of Representatives) for the 5th. Congressional District (just vacated by our new U.S. Senator, Ed Markey—the Primary is Tuesday, 10/15/13), and also Ryanne Olsen, representing candidate Rep. Carl Sciortino; Dan Berwick and Juliette Kayyem, candidates for Governor (2014); Tom McGee, candidate for Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and State Committee (being vacated by John Walsh); Rep. Tom Conroy, candidate for Treasurer; Rep. Chris Walsh and Rep. Tom Sannicandro; Ilma Paixao, manager of the local Brazilian radio station (WSRO 650 AM), New England rep to Brazilian government, and Democratic State Committee member; Chair Juan Aurelio López and Jorge Vargas, leaders of the Massachusetts Democratic Latino Caucus; and Governor’s Councilor Bob Jubinville. After each presentation, the Chair allowed limited questions from attendees.
5. 6/9/2013 Minutes: Secretary Jack Duffy Approved unanimously
6. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mel Warshaw Delayed until next month A motion to authorize the Treasurer to disburse up to $136.96 for expenses for the 5th. Congressional District Candidates’ Forum passed unanimously.
7. New Business: Tom Mahoney announced that the election of a new member to fill a vacancy on the Committee will be held at the October meeting.
Norma Shulman mentioned that she has received complaints that a couple of members of our list-serve (FraminghamDems@YahooGroups.com) have failed to receive their own posting; that this sometimes occurs for various reasons (by your own Internet Service Provider blocking Yahoo email, by a message going into your spam folder, or if you post the message to more than one address causing the Yahoo message not to post to you, etc.); and that no one is censoring or blocking posts to the Yahoo group. To see if your message was successfully sent to the group, you can check on your message directly at: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FraminghamDems/conversations/messages .
8. Announcements: Joan Rastani and Pat Dunne discussed an “Oktoberfest Celebration” event they have been working on with Elsa Avisa (on Friday, 10/4/13 from 7 – 11 p.m. at The Elks, 450 Union Avenue) to benefit the Hoops & Homework After-School Programs. $25 tickets include food and entertainment, featuring Oktoberfest Beer from Jack’s Abbey Brewing, LLC. For information, contact Elsa Aviza at elsaaviza@aol.com or 508-879-2029.
Norma Shulman discussed a letter of support for Karen Spilka that individual members can sign. In a discussion of wording, we were reminded that our by-laws do not allow the FDTC to endorse a candidate in a contested Democratic Primary.
Jeff Cox, our Affirmative Action & Outreach Officer, announced a meeting on outreach on Saturday, 9/21/13 at Panache at 9 a.m.
Ilma Paixao announced a meeting (at the Framingham High School auditorium at 6 p.m. on Saturday, 9/21/13) inviting young people to get involved in politics. All are welcome.
9. Next month’s charity: Beverly Hugo explained that the Pathways Shelter provides one room per family, and that people can bring canned food, kitchenware, towels, or other basic survival needs, to the next FDTC meeting.
10. Next regular meeting: Tom Mahoney set the next FDTC meeting for Sunday, 10/20/2013 at 7 p.m. at the customary location (Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road).
11. Adjourn: The FDTC meeting duly adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
—Respectfully submitted by Jack Duffy, Secretary, FDTC
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