Blue Hill Democratic Caucus

Sunday, February 08, 2004

Blue Hill Town Office

Minutes

Attending:

· Andrew Fiveland

· Anne Walker

· Art Newkirk

· Barbara Malm

· Barry K. Mite

· Beatrice Blake

· Benjamin Pfohl

· Beverly J. Dodd

· Bill Goddard

· Bob Sullivan

· Bob Walker

· Bonnie Preston

· Brad Emerson

· Carole R. Beal

· Christina Harris

· Cindy Blake

· Danielle Creeksong

· Deborah Wing

· Deborah Wing

· Don Hartley

· Donald W. Dodd

· Donna Madonna

· Dorothy T. dodge

· Edward Page

· Edward Rendall

· Ellen Best

· Ethan PFohl

· Ethelbery Nevin

· Faith Ensworth

· Fern McTighe

· Fran Truitt

· Fred Watters

· Helen Bloom

· Helen Graikoski

· Henry Elliot

· James Scroggy

· Jane W. Garfield

· Jim Fisher

· Jim Schatz

· John Galagher

· John P. Dodge

· John Ward

· Judith Leighton

· Judy Conterio

· Justine Schneider

· Lee G. lehto

· Libby Gulliver

· Linda Demig

· Linda Hoskins

· Lisa Locke

· Luther Young

· Marcia Schatz

· Margaret B. Hanna

· Mary Hartley

· Mary S. Spooner

· Maureen Rawding

· Mercuria Cumbo

· Nadine Lewis

· Nicholas Sichterman

· Patick Harris

· Peter d'Entremont

· Phil Norris

· Randy Eckard

· Rebecca McCall

· Red Hoskins

· Robert Bauer

· Robert Bomthius

· Robert St. Peter

· Robert Swain

· Ron Conterio

· Ronay J. Brow

· Ruth Sullivan

· Ruth Swain

· Sandra Phoenix

· Scott Howell

· Stu Davis

· Sue Salm

· Susan Yaruta- Young

· Virginia Ginger Dewey

· Virginia Royster

· Wendy Ritger

Call To Order

Jim Fisher appointed Caucus recording secretary.

Town Committee of Offices

1. Last year’s Caucus Convener was Cynthia Blake
   Motion to nominate Cynthia Blake this year, seconded and passed unanimously
2. Current Town Chair is Les Yonker
   Different process from past years
   Nominations for Town Chair - Les Younker - Nominated and seconded, Les was nominated unanimously.
3. Election of Town Secretary and Treasurer
   Current is Elaine Jacobson
   Secretary takes minutes - once every two years
   Nominations for Town Secretary - Jim Fisher, seconded and passed unanimously

Town Bylaws Affirmation of the Town Bylaws - Moved, seconded and passed. Cyntia Blake with send three signed copies to the State Party Headquarters

Elect municipal election committee

Need to elect 7 - but anyone can be a member

Names of people who indicated interest in being on the committee

· Barry Mills

· Beverly Dodd

· Cynthia Blake

· Donald Dodd

· Helen Bloom

· James Fisher

· James Schatz

· James Scroggy

· Jane Garfield

· Judith Conterio

· Judith Leighton

· Lee Latho

· Les Younker

· Libby Gullivar

· Libby Gulliver

· Linda Deming

· Marcia Schatz

· Rob Baur

· Robert Bonthius

· Robert Sullivan

· Sandra Phoenix

· Susan Yaruta Young

· Ted Hoskins

Election to the County Committee

Current chair is Kent Price of Orland

Post political posters before elections

Can become a member by attending three consecutive meetings

This County Committee meets in Ellsworth Town Hall - Third Thursday oif every month, 7:00 PM (February 19th)

Will be selecting a committee secretary and representative to the state committee

will be creating a web site

The Hancock County Committee has a lot of influence on the Democratic State Committee

Members will be sworn in at the convention.

Elected representatives

· Les Younkers

· Rob Bauer

· Cynthia Blake

· Rob Bauer

· Bonnie Prescott

· Nadene Lewis

· Bonita Preston

Others can attend the meetings and join if they attend three

Nomination of election clerks (paid position)

· Deborah Wing

· Geraldine Bragdon

· Lena Robertson? haven't seen her for a while

· Maureen Rawd

A form will be filled out and given to the Town Clerk (Perkins) and the state party in Augusta.

Count of persons attending who are register democrats in Hancock County

• 85 persons attended - the largest caucus in Blue Hill
• 7 proxy forms were submitted.

Candidate speeches

Nadene Lewis moved that only people who are voting in this caucus are allowed to speak..

- six opposed.

- the rest voted in favor of the motion

- The motion passed

Motion to limited speeches to 10 minutes per candidate. Seconded and passed with one opposed.

Dean Campaign

Bob Montheus - Noted the Bill Clinton lost many primaries but went on to win the election.

· Howard Dean is second in delegates to the convention.

· His domestic record - Gov of VT for 11 years.

· Unemployment ws cut in half during his term.

Nadene for Dean

Jim Schatz - for Dean

John Edwards

· ran a positive campaign

· not accepting special interest money

John Kerrey

Speaker was a supporter for Howard Dean

Really enjoyed the grass roots perspective

Speaker #2 for Kerry - supported many liberal candidates and saw them lose. Really need to have a candidate that will win.

Speaker #3 - want a stronger elect able candidate

Speaker #4 - sent money to Dean campaign, but want to win this one.

Press corps has been controlled by this white house.

Dennis Kucinich

- Dennis can't win this election, but delegates will help to move his platform. He has been brave about issues like genetic engineering, war, trade, etc..

Speaker 2 - think all of the candidates are good. Kucinich is the only true democrat. Only one who is still supporting a single payer health care program. Supporting a progressive tax plan. Dennis was one of the early opponents to the Iraqi invasion.

Speaker 3 - time to send a message

Speaker 4 - this is our chance to say what we believe

Speaker 5 - Maine should speak from our ideals.

Speaker 6 - strategic voting should be reserved for the general election.  We need to think more from the heart at this time.

Al Sharpton - Speaker glad that he is running.

Uncommitted – no speakers

Delegate Selection

Instructions - we are going to divide into groups in different corners of the room.

Each group will have a worksheet - and can calculate the delegates

Delegate selection

John Kerry received 36 votes and was apportioned 3 delegates and 3 alternates

Delegates:

1. Barry Mills
2. Justine Schneider
3. Cynthia Blake

Alternates

1. Margaret Hannah
2. Patrick Harris
3. Ellen Best

Dennis Kucinich won 26 votes and was apportioned 3 delegates

Delegates

1. Marcia Schatz
2. Becky McCall
3. Peter d’Entremont

Alternates

1. Bill Goddard
2. Linda Hoskins

Howard Dean won 24 votes and was apportioned 2 delegates

Delegates

1. Jim Schatz
2. Lee Lehto

Alternates

1. Les Younker
2. Judy Conterio

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM

Minutes respectfully submitted on 2/8/2004

Jim Fisher, Secretary (sent to cynthy@downeast.net)