Cumberland County Democrats

The CCDC has a mission and exists for one primary reason, that being to elect Democrats.  Our next meeting will be in direct support of that mission.  As I’m sure you know by now, there will be a special election on May 10 for Senate District 7.  Rep. Cynthia Dill is the nominee for this office.

Cynthia is a great candidate but, with the short timeframe for this election, needs every bit of help that we can offer.  Therefore, we are going to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 2 in the Wright Pavilion at the rear of the First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) at 301 Cottage Road in South Portland. This will be a joint meeting with the South Portland Democratic City Committee, whose members will be working jointly with us.

If you have questions about directions to the church, you can call Matt Beck, the South Portland chair, at 232-1976.

After a brief meeting (half an hour or so), we’ll go out to canvass on behalf of Cynthia! This is a great opportunity for us to begin the process of reversing the results of the 2010 election and be part of sending a message to Augusta.  We need everyone’s help if we’re to hold on to this critical seat.

We hope and need to see you on Monday evening. If you have any questions, please feel free to either email chair@cumberlandcountydems.org or call Reid Scher at 329-5843.

 

We’re doing something a little different for this meeting. We’re going to be holding the meeting this Sunday, February 27, at 4PM, at Ri Ra in Portland. It’s going to be earlier to accommodate people’s schedules and allow for more socializing and networking time. Ri Ra is located at 72 Commercial Street in Portland (map and directions).

The social hour will be held from 4-5 PM, with the meeting from 5-6. We will have the room reserved until 7, to allow for socializing (…or another beer…) after the meeting. Bring your friends and families…It’s a great site, with a great menu and it will be a good, informative meeting, as we go about organizing in the face of Governor LePage’s policies and the Republican majorities in Augusta. The agenda will be as follows:

4-5:00 Networking

5:00 Introductions

5:05 Secretary’s Report: Pat Washburn

5:10 Treasurer’s Report: Halsey Snow

5:15 Chair’s Report: Reid Scher

5:20 Grassroots Organizing: Andrew Kain, Organizing for America

5:40 Legislative Action Plan: Senator Justin Alfond

5:55 New Business

6:00 Adjourn

6-7:00 Social Time and Networking

As ever, please feel free to be in touch if you have any questions. We’re looking forward to seeing you this Sunday…It’ll be a great time and a great launch of our organizing efforts over the next couple of years.

Thanks!!

—
Reid Scher, Chairperson

The next meeting of the CCDC will be held on February 27. We’ll be holding the meeting from 4-6 PM, with a social hour followed by a meeting hour. Location and agenda will be posted shortly.

We think the earlier will better accommodate people’s schedules. We’re also considering a weeknight meeting at some point; let us know if you think that’s a good or poor idea.

Congratulations to the Maine Democratic Party officers!

Chair: Ben Grant, Portland
Vice Chair: Janet Mills, Farmington
Secretary: Susan Cook, Bath (re-elected)
Treasurer: Betty Johnson, Lincolnville
Assistant Treasurer: Roy G. Gedat, Norway

Congratulations also to Pam Fenrich, Cumberland County Vice Chair, who was elected to the state Executive Committee!

Maine Can Do Better Rally to Save Health Care

Support the Affordable Care Act

Wednesday, January 19th, at 11:30am

On Monday, Maine Can Do Better postponed its Affordable Care Act rally in the wake of the assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and the tragic loss of life in Tucson. The rally has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 19th, at 11:30am outside the State House.

Now, more than ever, we need to show Governor Lepage, Attorney General Schneider, the Maine Legislature, and Congress that Maine people want and support the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Will you join us at the rally?

Thanks to the ACA, children can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, insurance companies can no longer yank someone’s coverage when they get sick, young people can stay on their parent’s plans until they’re 26, everyone is eligible for free preventable care coverage and seniors pay less for prescription drugs.

Unfortunately, the Affordable Care Act is under attack. Maine Governor Paul LePage and Maine Attorney General William Schneider plan to have the State of Maine join a politically motivated lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. House of Representatives is holding a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act and a bill has been submitted to the Maine Legislature that would make it illegal to enforce the Affordable Care Act.  If successful, these partisan steps to undermine this landmark health care reform puts the health care of thousands of Mainers in jeopardy.

We can’t let this happen.

Please join Maine Can Do Better for a Rally to Save Health Care on Wednesday, January 19th at 11:30am.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 19th at 11:30am

WHERE: Outside the State House in-between the State House and the Cross State Office Building in Augusta, Maine

WHO: Maine Can Do Better, concerned citizens, and you!

If you plan to attend the event, please email me at lizzy@engagemaine.org.

See you Wednesday!

Lizzy R. Reinholt

Communications Coodinator, Maine Can Do Better

The news wasn’t all good Tuesday night, but one of the brightest spots was the re-election of our favorite Congresswoman, Chellie Pingree. Steve Bloom was at the victory party at the Porthole, shooting photos of her supporters:

The Cumberland County Democrats had a lively and positive presence at the Cumberland County Fair for 2010. Volunteers set up the booth and staffed it throughout the week of the fair. Michael Shaughnessy, who coordinated the volunteers, also contributed an eye-catching “hay ball” sculpture. (Photos by Stephen Bloom)