2001 Edition

Volume 1

January 2001

My fellow Democrats...
I was browsing through a music store recently looking for some new CDs. We were surprised at all of the choices available. Did you know the Beatles have a new one out? While skimming through Country, Rap, Rock and Alternative, this banner caught my eye in the Fringe Section: "Dubya and the Warlords" have a new lead singer ... Alexander Mundy from "It Takes a Thief."

Speaking of a new lead singer, Tommy Norment might be yodeling for "Swiss Miss" commercials if he keeps ranting against Herr Gilmore.

I must give the Senate Finance Committee credit for knocking down the smoke and mirrors and slowing down the repeal of the car tax. The "Gil-moron" budget is awful. He has neglected the environment, dissed mental health, and given our teachers that curious number one hand signal that Republicans have learned to use so well. Teachers are underpaid and are charged with educating our most precious resource. When it comes to Eastern State, I applaud Delegate Grayson's and Senator Norment's efforts. We remember a few years ago when Tommy stated he was "proud to steer the Governor's legislation through the floor of the General Assembly." He is singing a different tune now. Rumor has it that sitting in traffic on 199 at the Kingsmill light gave him a revelation like that of Amy Grant. I wonder if he was listening to Vince Gill? Kudos for Delegate Grayson and his objection to the limit imposed on the number of bills Delegates to the General Assembly may submit this session. Let's hope it starts a chain reaction against the bootjack respect shown by our NRA poster boy.
Are we ROLLing or what? During the next several months we will be asked to choose our Democratic ticket for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. We will have opportunities to meet ALL of the candidates. John Edwards and Jerrauld Jones have already made appearances here this year. Hopefully, ALL of the candidates will be extended an invitation to attend our "Pride & Progress Dinner" on March 10. Go ahead and circle that date on your calendar. This exciting evening will help finance our outreach program and "it'll be ROCKing!"

Publius is afraid this will be a familiar pose from our new President. "A Bad Moon is Rising" in the areas of health care, campaign finance reform, minimum wage, gun control, civil rights, environment, debt reducation and education...
Get ready to hold your nose.
The Virginia Association of Democratic Chairs (VADC) has proposed a resolution that would make city and county committee chairs (folks like Mike Halpin, Marilyn McGinty and Chris Mayer) voting members (ex-officio) of the State Central Committee. Let there be no mistake about it... this is long overdue. The "Olde Guard" (including many of our Congressional District Chairs) do not like the resolution. There is some opposition to it based on *State Proportionality.* If the local committee chairs are expected to carry out State Party policy then they should have a vote! If the local chairs are expected to work tirelessly during election time and organize the bulk of the work then they should have a vote!

Also on the grapevine:

 

  
 

In December, I sat through the Central and Steering Committee meetings and heard the term *grassroots* used 17 times. Steve Heretick (chair of the VADC) recognized the local chairs for their efforts.

Listen up my friends... Better precinct organization equals grassroots. Grassroots means victory in November. The "Grassroots" were also a band from the 60's and their big hit was *Midnight Confessions,* too bad Ricky Martin can't sing that one on Inauguration Day.

In Service, Mike

  

Contacts:

Chairman Halpin:  253-6463

V Chair Ford Anderson: 564-9459

HTDWG: Lynne Helmick: 258-5703

Editor:  whyte17@home.com

JCC Democrats

Box 2032

Williamsburg, VA 23187

 Calendar of Events: 
January 25  February 22  March 22  April 26   Committee Meetings
Meetings are on the 4th Thursday of the Month 7:30p Human Srvcs Bldg
February 2  (7p) Steering Committee Mtg
February 3  (9a) Central Committee Meeting
February  3 (call Ford)   

Sponsored by the State Party

 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

Richmond
March 10     (7p)

Sponsored by JCC  Democratic Committee

Pride and Progress Dinner

... more later