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The Strafford Town Democratic Committee works to elect Democrats at all levels of government. We meet at 7:00 PM on the first Tuesday.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom, with special guests Liz Mason of the Strafford School Board and Doug Merino of Maggie Hassan's Senatorial re-election campaign. We'll also get an update on upcoming town elections. For a link to the meeting, email strafforddems@gmail.com. Point of View: Do Strafford administrators care about fair redistricting? |
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Chairman's Corner
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Chair Elizabeth Callahan extends a warm welcome to all Democrats in Strafford. In October, the committee held an interim caucus to fill two open committee positions. Congratulations and thanks to our new officers, Secretary Irene Grand and Delegate-at-Large Bob Perry.
We also enjoyed a virtual visit from former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, who emphasized the need for compassion, empathy, and persistence in reaching out to persuadable people in the year ahead. "It's you and me and the people whose paths we cross," she said. "This is the necessary hard work of changing our state and country." Watch this page for news about a new committee T-shirt, coming soon. This will give us a new look and better visibility at events. Thanks to everyone who contributed prizes and bought tickets for our sizzling summer raffle, funding future Democratic endeavors!. Kudos to members who put in time and effort to make our booth at the Strafford Heritage Fair a real success last summer. Our amazing bakers made this year's blueberry bake sale the best ever! With safety in mind, we have decided to conduct our fall meetings via Zoom. For a link to participate, email strafforddems@gmail.com. |
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Cinde Warmington Update
At our September meeting, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington joined us via Zoom for a fascinating look at her work on the Council. "Make no mistake about it, reproductive choice and the future of public education are on the ballot," she told us.
After every Executive Council meeting, Cinde creates a 3-minute video summarizing the key issues covered. To get links to these videos and more, email her at cinde@cindewarmington.com. Warmington is the lone Democrat and one of just two women on the Executive Council. Strafford is one of 49 towns in her district.
In October 2021, the Executive Council voted 4-1 to turn down $27 million in federal funding to help pay for efforts to combat COVID, making NH the only state in the country to not accept this critical help available through the American Recovery Act. Warmington was the only councilor who voted to accept the funds.
After every Executive Council meeting, Cinde creates a 3-minute video summarizing the key issues covered. To get links to these videos and more, email her at cinde@cindewarmington.com. Warmington is the lone Democrat and one of just two women on the Executive Council. Strafford is one of 49 towns in her district.
In October 2021, the Executive Council voted 4-1 to turn down $27 million in federal funding to help pay for efforts to combat COVID, making NH the only state in the country to not accept this critical help available through the American Recovery Act. Warmington was the only councilor who voted to accept the funds.
Beach Cleanup - Community Service Day
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A big thanks goes out to the dedicated committee members who turned out for the Strafford Town Beach cleanup in June. Look at that mountain of pine needles and other debris we hauled out of Bow Lake!
This day of community action made a big improvement on one of the town's key recreational assets. Our friends and neighbors rely on the town beach to cool off, entertain the kids, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of Bow Lake. This team effort showed that Strafford Town Democrats have real community spirit. Good work, all! |
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Visit from the County Chair
At our June meeting, the committee heard from Walter King, Chair of the Strafford County Democrats. The County Democratic Executive Committee now has 12 members, giving individual towns better representation. Heath Howard of Strafford was recently elected to the county committee and is working more closely with towns to target their needs.
The good news is that the Town of Strafford had an outstanding Democratic turnout at the last election. We registered more voters and exceeded an 88% turnout for our party, one of the three highest in Strafford County. We still have work to do reaching undeclared voters. Walter commended the committee's efforts and is enthusiastic about our work for 2022.
The good news is that the Town of Strafford had an outstanding Democratic turnout at the last election. We registered more voters and exceeded an 88% turnout for our party, one of the three highest in Strafford County. We still have work to do reaching undeclared voters. Walter commended the committee's efforts and is enthusiastic about our work for 2022.
Make your Voice Heard!
At our April Zoom meeting, special guest Brian Beihl of Open Democracy Action taught the committee how to use the General Court website to register support of or opposition to bills in the Legislature. Thanks to new online access put in place because of the pandemic, this is now easier than ever before. You can also sign up to testify or submit written testimony.
Brian explained that views (pro or con) must be submitted at least an hour before the committee hearing starts; you are able do it as soon as the committee meeting is scheduled. All you need to know is the day of the hearing and the name of the committee. Registering your views is important even if bills seem likely to not go the way you are hoping they will. Recent legislation has generated thousands of comments. While this does not always change the outcome, it can definitely get the attention of some legislators.
To watch Brian's presentation, select the following link and enter the passcode ChWq1H+V from the Zoom screen. Watch Brian Beihl explain how to register your views on State Legislation.
Brian explained that views (pro or con) must be submitted at least an hour before the committee hearing starts; you are able do it as soon as the committee meeting is scheduled. All you need to know is the day of the hearing and the name of the committee. Registering your views is important even if bills seem likely to not go the way you are hoping they will. Recent legislation has generated thousands of comments. While this does not always change the outcome, it can definitely get the attention of some legislators.
To watch Brian's presentation, select the following link and enter the passcode ChWq1H+V from the Zoom screen. Watch Brian Beihl explain how to register your views on State Legislation.
Thank You, Bob!
All of us on the committee want to express our deep appreciation to Bob Perry for his dedicated leadership for more than 16 years. Thank you, Bob, for a job well done.
While enjoying his well-deserved "retirement," Bob continues to be actively involved at the state level in protecting our right to vote and following other key issues. We appreciate getting his updates at our monthly meetings and on our Point of View page.
While enjoying his well-deserved "retirement," Bob continues to be actively involved at the state level in protecting our right to vote and following other key issues. We appreciate getting his updates at our monthly meetings and on our Point of View page.
Learning about Open Democracy
Olivia Zink, Executive Director of Open Democracy, introduced us to this grassroots organization in New Hampshire working to create an open, accountable, and trusted democratic government free from the corrupting influence of big-money politics. Watch Olivia's presentation on Youtube.
School Funding & Property Taxes 101 Presented in Strafford
Watch the presentation by Andru Volinsky on School Funding & Property Tax here. Volinsky was the lead attorney in the landmark Claremont school funding case. It is critical that citizens of towns like Strafford understand how the current school funding system works and the inequities it imposes on students, property taxpayers, and the economies of local communities.
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