Minutes of July meeting of Oconee County Democratic Committee

Ann Stoneburner (Chair) called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.  Minutes for the meetings of April 21, May 19, and June 16 were approved with corrections. 

Violet Dawe gave the Treasurer’s report.  We have $XX,XXX.XX in our checking account.  Recent expenses included a $XXX check for Dan’s qualifying for House District 113, $XXX.XX for campaign mailers, and $XX.XX for advertising expenses assessed by Mike Berlon, State Chair.

Dan Matthews discussed his campaign for the special election to the vacated House District 113 seat. He noted that Chuck Williams outspent him more than twelve-fold. A number of committee members felt that the large truck sign that so alarmed a number of Republicans may have been the most effective campaign tool.  It was noted that the phone-bank calling was good preparation for the November 2012 elections.  Jonathan Veit was thanked for designing the campaign mailer. Various members expressed great satisfaction with the campaign Dan ran and expressed their gratitude to him.  Many members also wanted to recognize the efforts of Patsy Harris, our district’s representative to the State Committee, for her tireless efforts on Dan’s behalf. It was decided to sponsor a dinner/fundraiser in her honor at Piccolo’s on a Monday toward the end of September. 

Sarajane Love reminded members of the “Adopt-A-Mile” clean-up, our community service project to celebrate Obama’s birthday on August 6^th.  We will meet at 8 am at the Oconee Connector fire station for the pick-up, and then get together again at 11:30 for lunch at Krimson Kafe in Watkinsville.   

Pat Adams spoke about plans to celebrate Rita Bennett’s retirement after 35 years with the Department of Agriculture.  The gathering is sponsored by the Committee to honor one of its most enduring members with close ties to the Watkinsville community.  The celebration will be held at Krimson Kafe on Sunday, September 18^th, at 2 pm.  Pat Adams, Myrna West, and Ann Stoneburner are organizing the event.

Rita Bennett provided more details on our annual yard sale/flea market fundraiser held in her front yard in conjunction with the October Fall Festival at Rocket Field. The date of the Festival is Saturday, October 15^th.  We discussed the need for big ticket items like furniture, the need for ads that would target the Hispanic community, and ways to improve our presentation of items for sale.

Ann Stoneburner suggested that we contact Rashad Richey, senior political director for the Georgia Democratic Party, and ask him to organize a fundraiser that would also attract more African Americans in the county to our committee.  Members suggested a time around Martin Luther King’s birthday in January or during February, Black History Month.

All official business having been concluded, the meeting was adjourned.  The next Committee meeting on August 18th will be in the Government Annex, Watkinsville. The social gathering will be at 7 pm, and the official meeting will begin at 7:30.

Respectfully submitted by Ann Stoneburner, acting secretary, 08-18-2011