Framingham Democratic Committee
136 Maynard Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701
Meeting Minutes – Sunday, November 18, 2018 (*with corrections)
Call to Order: Beverly Hugo, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM
Announcements: Every month a charity to benefit. Next month, December, Pathways Family Shelter.
SMOC – social service agency; federal/state funding; variety of programs – provide community support, housing; shelters.
Tania DiDuca – SMOC Chief of state staff over 15 years; Leslie Lee – programming. Shelters – Gordon St, Pearl St and Clinton St helping families (8-16) to stabilize and become part of the community. Drop-In Center – downtown; Turning Point – chronic homelessness. Needs for Family and Individual Shelters (handout include diapers, personal care items). Volunteer application on website.
Attendance: Members: Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Barbara Fontes, Adam Freudberg, Kurt Fusaris, Gwendolyn Holbrow, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara Le Duc, Christopher Lorant, Kathie McCarthy, Amanda Northrop, Maria Robinson, Cindy Rubin, Margareth Shepard, Norma Shulman, Larry Stoodt, Parwez Wahid and Mel Warshaw. Associate Members: Douglas Lawrence, *Cesar Stewart-Morales.
State House and Capitol Hill Reports:
State Rep. Jack P. Lewis – ill. State working on “Rank Choice Voting.” Bills due Jan. 18, 2018 5 PM.
City Councilors – *Margareth Shephard. School Committee: Adam Freudberg. Financial oversight committee to advise elected officials. Upcoming issues – diversity hiring; recreational marijuana; opioid crisis; technology; transportation (buses) team up with BU to study bus routes (free).
fullerbuildingproject.com – answers many questions and concerns, educates voters.
Resolution by the Framingham Democratic Committee Endorsing the Fuller Middle School Building Project Motion to accept.
As adjusted – approved with 2 opposing/2 abstentions.
Secretary’s Report and Approval of the Minutes – Barbara Fontes. Corrections necessary. * Motion to approve-J. Rastani; Second-R. Hooper-Hamersley; Approval-unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report – November 18, 2018 – Larry Stoodt.
Balance as of 9/30/18 $3933.58
Income: Dues $120.00
CU Dividends as of 9/30/18 $ 0.34
Total Income $120.34
Previous Balance + Income: $4053.92
Expenses :
Reimbursement (various supplies) $ 19.01
Total Expenses: $ 19.01
Balance as of 11/18/18 $4034.91
Motion to approve – N. Shulman; Second – J. Duffy Approval – unanimous.
Office of Campaign Finance – state campaigns can’t receive money from the Federal government.
Important to plan how to use $4034.91 (no money was used for 2018 mid-term elections). 2020 open a local/regional office for strategic planning.
2018 Midterm Election Analysis
From the Chair’s Office – Toplines on Midterm Election Results (handout distributed)
Melvin C. Poindexter
Committee Reports
Civics Education – Pat Dunne, not present. C. Rubin – participation increase – district 6 & 7 (11, 13, 14); precinct 17 (28%); how to bring out voters; new apartment building; consider 2020 Census. Fuller Project; yes for fuller, ballot online as of 11/26/18.
Communications – M. Hugo – No
Outreach – M. Shepard – more Latinos involved in Health Fair
Programming – R. Hooper-Hamersley/A. Freudberg – January 1 of 2 Framingham FORCE; L. Stoodt – Sierra Club. Recent hate crime at Hemingway School – letter on behalf of FDC to Hemingway School – we don’t support this kind of activity – yes vote, 1 no? “Dignity Matters;” “Hate Has No Home Here” – new design with Portuguese.
FDC legislative proposals – What FDC wants to endorse in upcoming session; prioritize; Foundation Budget Commission – how much they will fund to educate a child; shortfall; how underfunded is Framingham? Each year underfunded; State owes Framingham $15 million. Sen. Karen Spilka – support, responsible.
Motion to accept – B. LeDuc; Second – C. Chico; Passed.
Student Loan Bill of Rights –H 2173 State Rep. Jack Lewis co-sponsor; Motion to accept B. LeDuc; Second – K. McCarthy. Prior notice for anything out of network H 2164 State Rep. Jack Lewis co-sponsor; Motion to accept K. McCarthy; Second C. Lorant. Environmental concerns/pipeline – defer to L. Stoodt – ballot question – 2008 Global Warming Solution Act; Motion to accept – R. Hooper-Hamersley; Second – K. Fusaris; Vote – yes; Motion against – C. Lorant; refer to legislator; Resolution – yes.
Bylaws – M. Warshaw – abolish outdated legislation; opinion of Supreme Ct. of MA and US Supreme Ct.
Women, we want it off the books, ex. Laws regarding abortion. Motion to accept-N. Shulman; Second-C. Lorant.
Thank you to the Legislative Committee. B. Hugo
Hospitality – Thank you Amanda and those who contributed –B. Hugo
Holiday Party (approx. 100); 6:30; Heritage or Community Green; Charity for Holiday Party-R. Hooper-Hamersley- Pathways/Children.
Final Comments – Male membership to State Democratic Com. – C. Lorant – top vote getter; Bob Massie 2nd.
N. Shulman – congratulations to C. Lorant; Rally-filmed for cable; felling of togetherness.Dec.7-Jan5 any male democrat in Framingham Senate district-1 city 6towns. Caucus-Feb 9; Jan-electing delegates(35)
Recognition to Norma Shulman.
In closing – FDC “We have one of the most active, passionate democratic committees.” B. Hugo
Motion to adjourn – R. Hooper-Hamersley; Second – C. Lorant
FDC Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM (approx.)
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara J. Fontes, Secretary