Shelby County Democrats

The Shelby County Democratic Party’s monthly meeting date is the third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 PM at the Party Headquarters, 125 W. Washington St. Shelbyville, Indiana, 46176.

Meetings are over no later than 8:30 PM. We have speakers and educational presentations on topics of interest to the local community. These gatherings are informal and all are welcome.

For more information, contact Noell Krughoff, Shelby County Democratic Party Chairperson at (765) 763-6045 or nkrughoff@gmail.com

January Democratic Party Meeting
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Democrat Headquarters, 125 W Washington St., Shelbyville 46176

Guest Speaker will be Val Phares, Shelbyville City Council

The meeting is open to the public.

December Minutes
Attendance: 19

Opening 7:00 PM: Pledge of Allegiance led by Saul Watkins and welcome by Noell Krughoff

Minutes from 11/18/09: Approved as written. Motion Bob Williams, second Cheryl Kern

People were encouraged to contact the City Council members about their intention to hire additional police officers regardless of the fact that the City has a budget shortfall. People should express their concerns in a polite, but clear way. Now is the time to mobilize.

Guest introductions: Dr. Nasser (said Nawser) Hanna, Democrat Candidate for Fifth Congressional District and Amy Haaker, Director Mainstreet Shelbyville.

Team Leader Reports:

1. Community Outreach – Bob Williams: The team continues to work on the Election Year Calendar and Democrat Golf Outing to be held in May.
2. Membership – Cheryl Etherton: The team has met with former elected officials to identify people who have been active in the past. In January the team will begin meeting on a regular basis.
3. Young Democrats – Carrie Ridgeway: No report
4. Fundraising – Phil Brown: No report
5. Education & Outreach – Kate Smith: No report.

Speakers:

* Amy Haaker: Mainstreet Shelbyville’s purpose is to revitalize the historic Shelbyville downtown, which is one of the oldest in the State. They are working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Promotional efforts include the farmers market, a holiday home tour, and summer on the square. Design initiatives include 1/1 match for façade improvements up to $10,000. Way-finding signs will be up after the first of the year. To learn more go to mainstreetshelbyville.org. Work sessions are the first Friday of each month, 9:00 AM at 3 Sisters Bookstore/café.
* Dr. Hanna is running for the House of Representative seat now held by Dan Burton, who has been in office since 1982. Dr. Hanna is a cancer doctor with the Indiana University School of Medicine faculty for 10 years. He is committed to public service and is particularly interested in health and social issues, small business development and job creation. Dr. Hanna and his wife have three young children and live in Fishers. For more information go to hannaforcongress.org.

Miscellaneous:

* Saul Watkins attended the December Fifth District meeting. He encouraged those who want to be State Convention delegates to get on the primary ballot. After the first of the year he will be working with John Stieneker and Warren Goodrich to recruit precinct committee people.
* Noell Krughoff handed out information about the 2010 election that listed the local offices and skills that are useful for potential candidates.
* Numerous people donated items and money to the Gibault Home Christmas box. Noell will deliver it to the local facility.

Next meeting – January 20, 2010, 7:00 PM, 125 W Washington St, Shelbyville
* Speaker – Val Phares, Shelbyville Common Council

Adjourn: 8:10 PM

Minutes from 10/21/09: Approved as written

Guest introductions: Michael Adkins, Hancock County Chair; Tom McKenna, candidate for Secretary of State; Jeff Harris, supporter of Pete Buttigieg for State Treasurer

Bean Supper report: Income was $183.00. Thanks to Tom Harding for donating his time and supplies for the supper.

Team Leader Reports:

1. Community Outreach – Bob Williams: All are welcome to attend a community outreach team meeting on December 8th, 7:30 p.m. at Bob Williams’ house. They will work on the 2010 calendar and golf outing preparations. Noell will send this information out via email along with the golf outing flyer.
2. Membership – Cheryl Etherton: The team is trying to expand the “Democrats and Friends” email list. Contact Cheryl (ivanwood@comcast.net) or Noell Krughoff (nkrughoff@gmail.com) with names and/or emails of people who would like to be informed about Democratic Party activities. Evelyn Smith volunteered to help on the membership team.
3. Young Democrats – Carrie Ridgeway: No report
4. Fundraising – Phil Brown: No report
5. Education & Outreach – Kate Smith: No report.

Upcoming Events: Michael Adkins invited everyone to the Hancock County Democrat Club meeting on December 3rd, 7:00 p.m. at the Ponderosa Steakhouse in Greenfield. People who wish to eat before the meeting should be there by 6:30. Dr. Hannah, Democrat candidate for the 5th Congressional District will speak.

Speakers:

* Tom McKenna, candidate for Secretary of State, gave an overview of the office duties. Among other things the Secretary of State is Indiana’s Chief Election Officer and serves as the Chairman of the Recount Commission. 2010 is a redistricting year and decisions made will have lasting impact that set the stage for elections involving mayors in 2011 and the Governor and U.S. President in 2012. Mr. McKenna urged people to run for Democratic Party Convention delegate by getting on the Primary ballot in 2010. He will announce his candidacy statewide the first week in December.
* Jeff Harris spoke on behalf of Pete Buttigieg (said Butti-judge). Mr. Buttigieg (“Pete”) is challenging the current Republican Treasurer, Richard Murdock, because he has made numerous bad decisions, such as investing heavily in junk bonds and battling the restructure of Chrysler. Pete has extensive education and experience in the field of economics. For more information go to www.peteforindiana.com. He hopes to attend one of our meetings in person sometime in the future.

Local issues:

* There is concern that the Shelbyville City Council plans to hire more police officers even though the City has a sizeable budget shortfall. Shelbyville residents are urged to contact City Council members to discuss the issue and express their concerns.
* Mayor Scott Furgeson is still not happy with the jail agreement.
* Val Phares, Democratic City Councilman, will be invited to speak at the next meeting about criteria for awarding tax abatements. Bob Williams reminded people that tax abatements are valuable for attracting business to the community. Tom Harding believes that many tax abatements don’t create the jobs that businesses promise when they ask for abatement. Some businesses have received multiple tax abatements in the same year and cut jobs anyway. People want to know if there is a “claw back” provision in such cases.
* Phil Stieneker spoke about the Gibault boy and girl youth homes in Shelbyville. Currently there are nine boys and five girls in these local homes. At the December Democrat meeting we will collect money and other donations for a Gibault Home Christmas box. To learn more about the homes and what donations they could use go to www.gibault.org and click on the Shelbyville location.

National issues:

* Contact Senator Bayh to vote “YES” for health care reform. Contact info is: bayh.senate.gov or 202-224-5623.

Next meeting – December 16, 7:00 PM, 125 W Washington St, Shelbyville

* Speaker – Amy Haaker, Shelbyville Mainstreet Director
* Bring donations for the Gibault Home Christmas box – food items and money are needed. Go to the Gibault website listed above for more ideas.