Nov-Dec 09 Gadfly

THE GADFLY November/December 2009A D A M S C O U N T Y D E M O C R AT I C PA RT Y7 2 9 0 S A M U E L D R I V E , S U I T E 1 2 0D E N V E R , C O 8 0 2 2 1

INSIDE THIS EDITION

THE GADFLY

Senator Tochtrop 2

Peniston Perspectives

3

Ad-Dems News 4

Latino Initiative 4

Don Quick 5

Jane Jeffersons 5

Exec.Mtg Minutes 6

Exec. Attendance 7

Party Events 8

Century Club 9

Adams County

Democratic Party Officers

Chair

Marty Wisniewski

Vice Chair

Bob Trucker

2 nd Vice Chair

Sharon Richardson

Treasurer

Lance Grothe

Asst. Treasurer

Joanie Schaefer

Secretary

Bev Bishop

Asst. Secretary

Meg Carter

Parliamentarian

Doug Schroeder

National Committeeman

Mannie Rodriguez

From the Party OfficersMarty Wisniewski, ACDP Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends. It is a time to remember that there is nothing more important than family. To remember all that we are grateful for. I am thankful for my children and wife. For my friends I have made though the years and in the party. I am grateful for the hard working officers the party has. As we sit with family and prepare to share the generous banquet, we need to remember those who may not have such a meal. We all can make a difference in those lives.Marty Wisniewski, ACDP Chair

“Thankfulness”

Your party officers are thankfulThat the year is almost through.

The ups and downs and meanderings,How painful to be new!

We thank you for your patience.We thank you for advice.

Without your help and knowledge,We’d be nowhere; let that suffice.

The Party helps each other,Through all the thick and thin.

We may not all agree; that’s the way it’s always been.But we thank you most for showing up and always pitching in.

We’re thankful for those who were elected,And all who voted, too.

We’re thankful to our solid core,Who support the Party through and through.

At Thanksgiving and the holiday season,Let’s all give thanks for the reasonWe work so hard all year through,We’re Adams County Democrats,

And that is what we do!

Bev Bishop

THE GADFLY November/December 2009

Senator Lois Tochtrop **** Senate District 24

The Gift of the Magi is the story of Mr. and Mrs. James Dillingham Young, otherwise known as Jim and

Della. It is Christmas Eve and all the money that Della has scrimped and saved for Jim’s gift totals one

dollar and eight-seven cents.

The Young’s are very poor, living in a shabby apartment. Their salary has recently shrunken from $30 a

week to $20 a week. Della has humiliated herself by haggling at the shops and managed to scrimp away

60 cents of the $1.87 in pennies.

Della has a fit of self-pity as she tries to determine how to buy Jim a worthy gift when suddenly she jumps

up and views herself in the mirror. She lets down her glorious hair; hair that is the pride and joy of both

Della and Jim. Della and Jim have two possessions that are the treasures of the household, Della’s hair

and Jim’s watch, which is an inheritance from his grandfather. To them these are treasures of which King

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba would be jealous, despite their own immense wealth.

Quickly, before she loses her nerve, Della leaves the house and sells her hair to Mne. Sofronie for $20.

Then she races around town looking for the perfect gift. She finds it in a platinum watch chain, for which

she pays $21. She hurries home and suddenly realizes what she has done. Della prepares supper and tries

to fix her hair so that Jim will not be too upset by her appearance.

When Jim comes home, his response is none of the responses that Della had anticipated. He seems

dumbstruck but Della cannot figure out why. Finally, after assuring her that he loves her no matter what,

Jim gives her the gift he bought for her. It is a pair of tortoise shell combs that Della has long coveted.

Della is thrilled but her joy is quickly followed by sorrow as she realizes she has no hair to wear the

combs in. She resolves her feelings by telling Jim that her hair grows fast.

Each of us may celebrate our holidays in different ways and with different traditions, but we can all understand that the greatest ‘gift’ we can give anyone is the love and kindness within ourselves.

May your Christmas season be filled with love and kindness, for you and for those you love.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year


Peniston PerspectivesRepresentative Cherylin Peniston, House District 35

Dear Democrats of Adams County, As we approach Thanksgiving and onward to Christmas, I wish I had more encouraging news to report. The next legislative session, which begins on Jan. 12, will be known for its efforts to cut expenditures without hurting our most vulnerable citizens. We will do our best and make thoughtful decisions based on our values as Democrats. The future has some positive outlooks for Colorado for recovering more quickly than most states. We certainly hope that is sooner, not later. Despite the downturn and government cuts we have already encountered, there are three really bad initiatives that have already received enough signatures to make it on next year’s Nov. ballot, and which, if passed, will be disastrous for our state. As the Bell Policy Center puts it - these ballot initiatives could blow a permanent and gaping hole in the state budget - and lock Colorado into a permanent recession. Proposed Initiative 10 (the number will be different on the ballot, so that might get confusing) is intended to repeal Referendum C; establish new, much lower limits on state and local spending; reinstate the TABOR ratchet effect: and cut state and local public services by a total of more than $2 billion a year. Proposed Constitutional Initiative 21 would ban the use of any kind of debt by the state of Colorado and greatly limit the amount of debt issued by local governments. Colorado would become the only state in the nation without authority to issue debt. In real terms, this means crumbling schools, fewer recreation centers and libraries, overcrowded colleges, etc. etc, etc. Based on what the Bell Policy Center knows so far, this measure would set stricter limits on property taxes than currently imposed by TABOR. It would cripple local governments in their ability to raise revenue by overriding all local de-Brucing elections; apply a 10-year limit on all property tax increases; and put in place a mechanism were taxpayers could petition for tax cuts on the ballot of every election. It would also require local school districts to cut their mill levy rates in half by 2020, with local revenue to be replaced by the State. Guess what, folks? We are already discussing cutting funding to schools just to make next year's budget balance. While everyone would like lower taxes, which services are we willing to forego? Do we want fewers inspections in restaurants, at dairy farms, less safe drinking water, fewer people with mental health issues served, less police and fire protection, more bridges shut down for several weeks while emergency repairs are conducted? Government (which is us) does for us collectively what we cannot do for ourselves. And we have to pay for that. I don't want to leave you on a down note. With the holidays approaching, I hope you will be able to let a few of life's cares take a backseat, while you enjoy the warmth and joy of a grateful heart for your family and the blessings of living in this country, which is still the best on the planet. I pledge to you that your Democratic lead legislature will come back in January with renewed energy to carry this state forward. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God bless us all, every one!


DECEMBER 3 AD-DEMS ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER Your reservation will secure your spot for the annual Ad-Dems Holiday Dinner on Thurs., Dec. 3rd at Ciancio’s Hyland Hills Restaurant, 9650 Sheridan. Doors open at 6:00 pm; cash bar starts at 6:30 with a delicious buffet dinner at 7:00. In addition to the silent auction, Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher will conduct a live auction of a few donated prize items with Garrick Delzell to lead the fun quarter auction. Carol Neiswonger, auction chair, solicits your donated holiday, hand-made and political items, including some prized campaign buttons from the collection of Marie Steward, donated by son Jim. The Ad-Dem of the Year will be presented. This is an anticipated fun evening and tickets are available through the above committee members. Call now for your $16 reservation.

JANUARY 7, 2010 A VISIT TO CHURCH Thursday, January 7, Ad-Dems and friends will visit four of North Denver’s finest churches in the Globeville area. The bus will leave Headquarters at 6:30 p.m., meeting with Dennis Gallagher and visit each of four Globeville churches, and return to Headquarters by 9 p.m. This date follows the Feast of the Epiphany and the churches will still be decorated for the Holiday season. If you haven’t seen these Eastern European churches, this is a perfect opportunity. There is a $10 charge for the bus and seats are limited. Again, please call your ticket committee listed above with your reservation. __________________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to Senators Mary Hodge and Lois Tochtrop, as well as Rep. Cherylin Peniston, for the arrangements made for Ad-Dems and friends who attended a rare evening visit to the state Capitol on November 5. We were permitted to view the Senate and House from the respective floors, and the group appreciated the Senate Hearing room where Sen. Pat Steadman joined Sen. Tochtrop in leading a committee hearing. Karen Dunn and Bob Knapp showed the importance of a citizen legislature with members dressed in costumes as they explained who can be members of the General Assembly. Bob told of the reasons for voting Democratic, including holding the vital chairmanship of committees within the Legislature. Refreshments finished the evening in the office of Rep. Peniston.Contact your ticket committee: Bev Bishop, (303) 428-1945; Sharon Richardson, (303) 427-4086; Phyllis Hassell, (720) 208-6760; Ann Ragsdale, (303) 429-8582; or Bernie Gerken, (303) 429-1882

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Adams County Latino InitiativeJeff Vigil, Chairman, 303-913-0086

No regular December meeting due to holidays.

Ad-Dems NewsBy Bernie Gerken, President (303) 429-1882


Minutes of the Jane Jeffersons’ Meeting – 11-17-09

Only five brave souls ventured out in the cold for the Janes meeting. President Julia Hicks presented each member with a copy of the new bylaws. Julia told us about sending flowers to Val Vigil and the expenses of the bylaws. The Christmas Party was discussed and decided for Sunday, December 6 from 2-4:00 p.m. Carol Peterson and Jean Fredlund are looking into a party room. We will all bring finger foods or some sandwich trays. We will send postcards and do telephone trees to get the word out. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

The Sprint Community Champions Program honored one outstanding Denver-area resident who has made a positive impact on the Denver community with a $5,000 Sprint Foundation grant to a qualified non-profit of the honoree’s choice. That honoree was Adams County District Attorney Don Quick!

Westminster resident Don Quick was selected as the 2009 Sprint Community Champion honoree, and the Sprint Foundation will be awarding a $5,000 grant to Don’s selected charitable organization, the Mapleton Education Foundation. Don is the district attorney for Adams and Broomfield Counties and has made it his mission to see that all kids reach their full potential. Don’s extensive work with the Mapleton Education Foundation, including sitting on the board, helps generate the support and funding needed to keep kids engaged and off the streets after school. Don is also a founding partner in the Adams County Youth Initiative (ACYI) which is a countywide partnership to keep kids in school and out of the justice system.

Initiated in 2005, by 17th Judicial District Attorney Don Quick, the Adams County Youth Initiative (ACYI) is a countywide collaborative committed to increase high school graduation rates (without a substance abuse problem or criminal record) and to decrease delinquency through evidence-based programs and strategies. Largely due to the groundwork of ACYI, Adams County was awarded a 5-year (2007-12), $8 million federally funded Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant (SS/HS) serving children birth to age 21 and their families in Adams 12 Five Star Schools, District 14, District 27J, District 50 and Mapleton Public Schools. Through ACYI and SS/HS, a consortium of partner agencies including school districts, law enforcement, mental health, social services, juvenile justice, work force development and providers of early childhood services have agreed to work together to improve the coordination of resources in Adams County for the purpose of promoting the health and well-being of children and families.


Secretary, La Verna McManus


Adams County Democratic Executive Committee

November 19, 2009 Meeting Minutes7:30 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER - Marty Wisniewski Marty Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Sharon Richardson made a motion, seconded by Lance Grothe, to amend the minutes of the last meeting to include mention of Don Quick’s donation of $500 to the Party. Motion to approve the minutes as amended carried.

3. AWARDING OF PLAQUE TO PIPEFITTERS – Marty awarded a plaque to Tom Tuttle, Business Representative of the Pipefitters Local Union No. 208, for their unwavering support and assistance to our Party.

4. CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT HEALTHCARE REFORM RESOLUTION – Copies of a generic resolution prepared by the Officers were distributed to the Committee. Jim Worthy, of MoveOn.org and Health Care for America Now (HCAN), commented on three additional possible resolutions to consider. After discussion on many aspects of the issue, a vote by count-of-hands resulted in not adopting the resolution.

5. OFFICERS’ REPORTS – a) Chair – Marty congratulated Sharon Richardson, Lynne Fox, Val Vigil, and Wilma Rose for winning their

elections and also reviewed other election results. He then announced upcoming events.b) Vice Chair – Bob Trucker asked people to contact him with comments on the chili cookoff event so that we

can improve on it next year. He also asked Pat Moore to explain about the upcoming football raffle. c) Treasurer - Lance addressed several questions on the report he distributed.

6. OLD BUSINESS – Additional work by the Needs Committee will be discussed after the holidays.

7. NEW BUSINESS – The motion to cancel the December meeting was not approved, as indicated by an overwhelming “no” voice vote. We will hold the Thursday, December 17 Executive Committee meeting.

8. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ REPORTS and other Items – Larry Dunn, Regional Field Organizer for the Romanoff for Senate campaign announced that they are looking for volunteers in Adams County. Doug Darr announced the Operation Free Bird program. Bernie Gerken reviewed upcoming Ad-Dems events. Karen Long announced that there will be a recount for one of the Mapleton school district issues and an Aurora City Council seat. Jane Goff encouraged everyone to pay close attention to state funding as to how it relates to education. She also said CSAP will not be the same. Pat Moore said the Latino Initiative will be having a Christmas party. Jean Fredlund reported that the Janes will be holding a finger-food potluck on Dec. 6 at the American Legion in Jefferson County. Lois Tochtrop commented on state budget issues, as well as commenting that the county party needs to find other sources of funding besides donations from elected officials. Carol Snyder said that the number of commercial foreclosures is increasing. She also said that there is a food drive sponsored by the Governor’s office, and suggested that we all bring non-perishable food items to the December Executive meeting. Fred Schaefer of School District 12 Board of Education said they are examining their practice of charging civic groups for use of school buildings. Armene Brown announced the next AdCo Women’s Breakfast to be held on December 5.

9. MEETING ADJOURNMENT – Motion to adjourn was made at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted by: Beverly Bishop, Secretary

Adams County Democratic Party Executive Board Attendance 11-19-09House District Captains & Co-Captains

First Last HD Present Proxy First Last Title Present ProxyDave Rose 30A X Veronica Cordova CALLaurie Maier 30A Rosemary Fischer CAL Excused

Mark Nicastle 30B Bernie Gerken CAL X


Bob Trucker 30B X Corinne Rodriguez CALMarianne Pierce 30C X Fran Groff-Gonzales CAL XMary Arnold 30C X Anna Fernandez CALBruce Hulley 30D X Steve O’Dorisio CALRoger Engelsman 30D X Chris Lopez CAL

John Thomas 31A X Danielle Glover YDemsLila Pedroza 31A Jeff Vigil Lat Int

Eva Henry 31B X Mannie Rodriguez DNCLily Ewing 31B ACDP OfficersLynne Fox 31C Marty Wisniewski Chair X

Janise Friedland 31C Bob Trucker VC XManuel Solano 31D Sharon Richardson 2nd VC XRhonda McCutcheon 31D Bev Bishop Secretary XVal Vigil 32A Megan Carter Asst. Sect XAnnabelle Vigil 32A Lance Grothe Treasurer X

Nadine Cordova 32B Joanie Schaefer Asst. Treas XGary Neiswonger 32B Doug Schroeder Parl XRobert Randall 32C X

Serna Guillermo 32C

Tove Forgo 32D X Elected OfficialsBurke Beu 32D X Ed Casso HD 32Glenda Barry 33A Excused Diane Christner Treasurer

Heather Barry 33A Excused Doug Darr Sheriff XJean Fredlund 34A X Skip Fischer Comm ExcusedLillian Velasquez-Wade 34A Jane Goff SDE X

Stephen Lebsock 34B Jim Hibbard Coroner

Dunbar Watson 34B Mary Hodge SD 25

Ron Davis 34C X X Karen Long Clerk XSharon Richardson 34C X Alice Nichol CommDianne Wright 34D X Larry Pace CommSam Lopez 34D Cherylin Peniston HD 35 Excused

Jeff Vigil 35A Dianne Primavera HD 33

Megan Carter 35A X Don Quick DA 17th JD

Skip Fischer 35B Excused Gil Reyes Assessor XCarol Snyder Trustee X

Bill Moore 35B X Judy Solano HD 31Charlie Ragsdale 35C X John Soper HD 34 XRobert Knapp 35C X Pat Steadman SD 31Cindy Dreher 35D Lois Tochtrop SD 24 XArmene Brown 35D X Pat Moore Past Chair XTammie Scott 63A X Ann Ragsdale Past Chair X

ADAMS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS

December 2009

Thurs. Dec. 3 Ad-Dems Annual Holiday Dinner at Ciancio’s Hyland Hills6:00 p.m. cash bar; silent auction; 7:00 p.m. dinner

Sat. Dec. 5 AdCo Democratic Women’s Breakfast, 9:00 a.m. at Redwood Estates


Sat. Dec. 5 State Central Committee Meeting, 1:00 p.m. at IBEW

Sun. Dec. 6 Janes xmas party, 2-4:00 p.m. at American Legion, 6230 W. 60th Ave.

Thurs. Dec. 17 Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Headquarters Please bring non-perishable food items to contribute. Carol Snyder will collect them.

Latino Initiative – No regular Nov. or Dec. meetings due to holiday weekends

January 2010

Thurs. Jan. 7 Ad-Dems tour of Eastern European Globeville churches. Bus leaves HQ at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 9:00 p.m.

Wed. Jan. 20 Janes’ meeting – Headquarters

Thurs. Jan. 21 Executive Committee meeting, 7:30 p.m. Headquarters

Sat. Jan. 23 Blue Jeans Ball at Pipefitters’ Hall

March 2010

Tues. March 16 Caucuses

Sat. March 27 County Assembly

Other Events

Sat. May 16 JFK Dinner, Stonebrook Manor

For more information on any of these events, check our website adamscountydems.comIf you would like to add an event to the calendar, please send email to

[email protected]; email Bev Bishop at [email protected]; or call Marty Wisniewski, Chair 303-452-6920.


2009 Century Club Members

Glenda Barry Bernie Gerken Denise Peters

Odell Barry Jane Goff Carol Peterson

Heather Barry Antoinette Gomez Charles Ragsdale

Damon Barry Mark Gormley Robert Randall

Burke Beu Lance Grothe Corinne Rodriguez

Monica Brancucci-Jordan

Evie Hudak Mannie Rodriguez

Armene Brown Butch Hicks Gloria RuddenLarry Brown Gary Jackson

James JoyDoug Sand

Belinda Butler-Veytia Jill Kaplan Linda Sand

Ruth Campbell Bill Kennedy Doug Schroeder

Meg Carter Monisha Merchant Tammie Scott

Diane Christner Alice Morgan John Soper

Ray Coffey Alice Nichol Pat Steadman

Doug DarrKaren Dunn

Steve O’Dorisio Stephanie Takis

Skip Fischer Larry Pace Lois Tochtrop

Lynne Fox Cherylin Peniston Linda Wisniewski


Please support the Party by joining the Century Club

Nov-Dec 09 Gadfly

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Transcript of Nov-Dec 09 Gadfly