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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 in person on Tuesday, August 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill Library. To join via Zoom, email strafforddems@gmail.com. |
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A fun way to support local Democrats. With more great prizes!
Prizes include a handcrafted corn hole game (value $150), $100 at Hannaford, four tickets to York's Wild Kingdom, Insignia Soundbar (value $80), $50 at Johnson's Seafood and Steak, $50 at Chuckster's Family Fun Park, two movie passes, and seven beautiful themed gift baskets.
Tickets are $10 each, or three for $20. Buy tickets here!
You can also purchase tickets by mail. Send checks to: Strafford Town Democrats, PO Box 273, Strafford, NH 03884. Checks must be received by August 2 to qualify for the raffle.
The raffle runs through August 2. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on Tuesday, August 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill Library.
Specialty Raffle Baskets
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Blueberry Basket – Salmon Falls stoneware bowl, a beautiful fabric tote and 5 pounds of PYO blueberries at BerryBogg Farm. Includes pottery mug from John Ouellette, New England Blueberry Cobbler coffee, blueberry tea, blueberry soda, and handcrafted cloth picnic napkins.
Basket ‘O Family Fun – Get set for fun in the sun with this crate chock full of towels, beach mats, swim noodles, beach games, sunscreen, and snacks. Includes 5 pounds of PYO blueberries at BerryBogg Farm. Pet Lovers Basket – Your dog will love you for bringing home this basket of goodies! Includes a new leash, dog ball launcher, Kong and other chew toys, dog biscuits and more. Hanging Petunia Basket - This splash of floral color says "summer"! |
Rainbow Basket – A sweet selection of treats and games for kids - bubbles, sidewalk chalk, giant Frisbee and more. Pot of Gold included!
The Romeo Basket – A signed copy of The Romeo Poems by local author Rollande Merz, plus a selection of Romeo's favorite dog toys and treats. Romeo is the author’s beloved puggle. Red White & Blue Basket – A trove of colorful seasonal treats for a sublime summer picnic. Specialty Yarns – Imagine what the knitters in your life will create with 10 skeins of luxurious expensive yarn. |
Chairman's Corner
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Chair Elizabeth Callahan extends a warm welcome to all Democrats in Strafford. Thanks to everyone who contributed prizes and are buying tickets for our sizzling summer raffle, helping us raise funds for future Democratic endeavors. Available only through August 2!
Our booth at the Strafford Heritage Fair on July 24 was a big success. It was so nice to be able to do an event in person at last, and the weather cooperated. We appreciate all the amazing bakers who made our blueberry bake sale the best ever. People who stopped by got a peek at the specialty gift baskets being raffled off along with gift certificates and other prizes. Thanks to all of you who took this opportunity to buy tickets. The bean bag toss was a fun addition to the day. The Howard men are the reigning champs, so future competitions may be needed to settle the score! Kudos to all the committee members who put in their time and effort to make all the days events happen. You are a remarkable team. Another fun political event coming up soon in our area is the New Durham Democratic Committee's Peaches and Politics 2021, set for July 31 from 1-4 p.m. at 51 Miller Road in New Durham. Tickets are $10 at this link. Strafford's Heath Howard is one of the speakers that day. |
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Beach Cleanup Day
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We want to thank to the dedicated committee members who turned out for the 2021 Strafford Town Beach cleanup in June. This day of community action made a big improvement in one of the town's key recreational assets, one that many of our friends and neighbors are enjoying this summer.
Look at that mountain of pine needles and other debris we hauled out of Bow Lake! This team effort was a great way to demonstrate that the 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.
New OfficersIn March, Committee Chair Elizabeth Callahan and new slate of officers were elected to lead the committee forward over the next two years. Officers include Vice Chair Sharon Omand, Treasurer Carol Perry, Secretary Regina Flynn, Delegate-at-Large Heath Howard, and Recording Secretary Tara Bickford Bailey.
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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. While enjoying his well-deserved "retirement," Bob continues to keep us informed about urgent issues of the day at our monthly meetings and on our Point of View page. Thank you, Bob! |
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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