Mar 15

Mayor Fudge to Address Windsor/North County Democratic Club

Windsor Mayor Debora Fudge will address the Windsor/North County Democratic Club on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at the Windsor Round Table Pizza, 8499 Old Redwood Highway. One topic will be the resolution adopted by the Windsor Town Council at its March 1 meeting, declaring Windsor a “united community that values its diversity and the contributions of all residents, and supports the civil rights, safety and dignity of all Windsor residents.” The resolution is similar in tone to a sanctuary city declaration, as the town will continue the policy of not enforcing existing punitive immigration laws.

Mayor Fudge will describe numerous negative responses that she has received since the adoption of the “united community” resolution, which have included hate filled rhetoric. She will also discuss the implications of the resolution for the community.

Newly-elected as the Chair of the Board of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), Ms. Fudge will discuss the extension of the rail line from San Rafael to Larkspur Landing. Funding for the extension is in place, with a $22.5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration plus $20 million from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Despite the funding, some in San Rafael are resistant to the project due to downtown traffic concerns and impacts on the city’s Transit Center.

The March 23rd meeting is free and open to the public. Pizza will be served.

 

— Barry Hirsch

Feb 24

Report: Sam Salmon Speaks to the Windsor/North County Democratic Club

Windsor Town Councilmember Sam Salmon spoke at the February 23 meeting of the Windsor/North County Democratic Club. Mr. Salmon described what he termed “the trials and tribulations” of representing a minority position on the Council for the past three years. Often the lone dissenter on issues related to town development and growth, he shared his strategies for navigating that political reality.

Having served on the Council since 1994, Mr. Salmon has chosen to vote his conscience while advocating for his position in a collegial way. He has consistently opposed recent housing developments and is concerned that related traffic issues have not been adequately addressed. The removal of oak trees on the Oliver’s Market and Windsor Oaks projects played a significant part of his opposition to these projects adjacent to the Town Green.

Political contributions to the campaign of candidates in the 2016 Town Council election cycle is another concern of this long-serving council member. Mr. Salmon cited contributions from development interests to the campaigns of Deb Fudge and Bruce Okrepkie as further evidence of the problems of money in politics. Additionally, Mr. Salmon sees no real upside for growth in Windsor. He contends that Windsor offers few employment opportunities and that growth should happen in larger Bay Area cities where more jobs are generated and available.

Mr. Salmon addressed the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians’ proposed tribal homeland on 564 acres located west of Starr Road, east of Eastside Road, and south of Windsor River Road. A bill (HR 2538) introduced by Congressman Jered Huffman in May 2015 to create the homeland by an act of Congress, rather than an administrative act by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was not voted on by the end of the legislative session in January 2017. A new, similar bill has been introduced by Republican Congressman Jeff Denham of Modesto. Mr. Salmon is unclear as to what actions will be taken by the new administration, but feels that the Town of Windsor was given misleading advice regarding the inevitability of the creation of the Lytton homeland by either the Congress or the BIA. In retrospect he feels that the Town, when counseled that the outcome was not in doubt, rushed to make the best possible deal with the Lytton Band. He now concludes that the federal government may not approve the proposal.

Finally, Mr. Salmon looks forward to the adoption of a new Windsor General Plan in 2018. After that is done, he will consider his future on the Council before deciding whether to run for reelection in November 2018.

 

Also at the meeting: the Windsor Indivisible group, organizing around the principles outlined in the Indivisible Guide, to resist the Trump agenda, announced that their kickoff meeting will be on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at the Windsor Round Table Pizza. For more information e-mail to windsorindivisible@gmail.com or follow Windsor Indivisible on Facebook.

And also at the meeting: Denise Dixon provided information about what is happening with the immigrant community she is in touch with at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Windsor. She said there are two non-threatening (to immigrants) ways that the rest of us can get involved: work at one of the food distribution centers, and volunteer with Catholic Charities for one or more of the immigrant-related services provided by that organization.

 

— Barry Hirsch

Feb 19

Sam Salmon to speak at February 23rd meeting

Sam Salmon, a local attorney and longtime Windsor Town Council member, will speak at the Windsor/North County Democratic Club meeting at 7 p.m. on February 23.

Salmon, first elected to the Council in 1994, has found himself in the minority on some recently debated town issues. Most notably, he was the lone dissenting vote as the Council approved the Vintage Oaks project last May. He opposed that large housing project, on the former Windsorland Mobile Home Park site, due to the removal of large numbers of oak trees, as well as the project’s failure to include low-cost housing.

Salmon will discuss the challenge of expressing a consistent dissenting view while maintaining a collegial relationship with the other members of the council. His perspective on positive and constructive opposition in the context of governing, at the local level, may be applicable to the current situation for the Democratic Party on the federal level.

Note: There will also a short presentation by the Indivisible Windsor group that has just been set up. (The first meeting of that group is on Tuesday, March 14, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Windsor Round Table.)

The W/NCDC meeting, at the Windsor Round Table Pizza, 8499 Old Redwood Highway in Windsor, is free and open to the community. Pizza will be served.

— Barry Hirsch

Jan 27

Large Turnout for Club Meeting on January 26th

At the Windsor /North County Democratic Club meeting on January 26, an array of speakers representing a variety of political organizations informed the more than 60 people in attendance of actions that can be taken to resist the proposed policies of the new Trump administration. Many of those in the standing-room only crowd had attended Women’s Marches in Santa Rosa and elsewhere in the Bay Area and were looking for ways to continue to voice disapproval of the new government’s agenda.

Indivisible is a new national organization created by former congressional staffers who saw first-hand how the Tea Party faction of the GOP obstructed the Obama presidency. Tea Party tactics were the starting point from which these volunteers created a handbook for resisting Trump, available online at www.indivisibleguide.com. Local chapters of Indivisible are springing up throughout Sonoma County. Val Campbell from Healdsburg, Sandy McCracken from Santa Rosa, and Sandy Dobbins from Windsor all spoke and described the work of the organization. Calls to local members of Congress are being made, asking them to oppose cabinet nominees. Visits to the offices of elected officials are also being planned.

Healdsburg resident Tessa Kraft discussed the work of Organizing for Action, which grew from the Obama for America campaign organization. Since the 2012 re-election campaign of President Obama, OFA has focused on issue advocacy. They are now phoning California congressional districts represented by Republicans, asking Democrats there to express support for the Affordable Care Act to their representative.

Long-time Petaluma activist Dale Axelrod was on hand to inform the audience about Our Revolution, an outgrowth of the Bernie Sanders campaign. Axelrod presented a laundry list of issues of concern to him, ranging from money in politics to the integrity of the voting process. More information can be found at www.ourrevolution.com. The group is currently urging people to ask their California Assembly member to support SB 54, the California Values Act, which will create safe spaces and expand protections for undocumented immigrants.

Janet Reynolds and Val Hinshaw from the Political Organizing Committee of the Sonoma County Democratic Party talked about the activities of that group. POC’s major focus is the election of candidates endorsed by the Democratic Party. Voter registration is also ongoing, and the group will be working to preserve rent control in Santa Rosa, which will be decided by a June 6 ballot measure.

Gail Jonas, a retired Healdsburg attorney and dedicated political activist, shared with the group how grassroots organizing defeated Healdsburg Measure R in November’s election. The measure proposed lifting the existing growth management ordinance and expanding new housing. Jonas, along with some dedicated friends, organized precinct walks throughout the community. The measure was defeated in spite of support from the city council and city administrators. Gail suggests keeping advocacy fun and respectful; David can still defeat Goliath.

— Barry Hirsch

Jan 24

It Won’t Happen Here Declaration to be voted on at January 26th meeting

The Windsor/North County Democratic Club will vote on January 26th on whether to add the organization’s name, as a signer, to the following declaration:

IT WON’T HAPPEN HERE DECLARATION

DECEMBER 2016

WHEREAS, to safeguard the equal and inalienable rights and inherent dignity of all people that is the foundation of the relationship between a government and the people;

AND whereas, we recognize that the rights and dignity of all people are under threat;

WE, the undersigned organizations, call upon all Sonoma County governing authorities and law enforcement agencies to pledge in writing to protect all of the County’s community members;

FURTHERMORE, we call upon these authorities and agencies to proclaim publicly that they will refuse to cooperate with any demands from the federal government to institute detentions, deportations, registries, conversion therapies, imprisonment or any other acts that target or discriminate based on immigration status, race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, ability, political affiliation, economic status, age, gender-identity or sexual orientation;

FURTHERMORE, we, the undersigned organizations, in obedience to our consciences, pledge to protect all community members and will support our local governments as they move to resist these undemocratic and un-American practices in order to reaffirm their commitment to inclusivity, respect and dignity.

 

SIGNED:

100 Thousand Poets for Change Sonoma County

Advocates for Social Justice of the U/U Santa Rosa

Andy Lopez Memorial Picket Line

Arlene Francis Center for Spirit, Art and Politics, The

Black Student Union SRJC

Bohemian Grove Action Network

Code Pink North Bay

Comité Vida

Community Action Coalition

Farms Not Arms

Food Empowerment Project

Green Party of Sonoma County

Hate-Free Petaluma

Homeless Action!

Interfaith Council of Sonoma County

Interfaith Ministerial Association, Santa Rosa

KBBF-fm

La Luz

Latino Democratic Club

Media Freedom Foundation/Project Censored

MVPilates Personal Training

NAACP, Santa Rosa-Sonoma County

National Women’s History Project

North Bay Jewish Voice for Peace

North Bay Organizing Project

North Coast Coalition for Palestine

N.O.W. Sonoma County

Occupy Sonoma County

Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County

Peaceroots Alliance

Permaculture Artisans

Permaculture Skills Center LLC, The

Petaluma Progressives

Police Brutality Coalition

Praxis Peace Institute

Raizes Collective

Redwood Forest Friends Meeting

Santa Rosa Sanctuary Now!

Sebastopol Tomorrow

SEIU 304

Sonoma County Latino Democratic Club

Sonoma State University Faculty Association

Sonoma Valley Peace and Justice

Story Scapes Publishing

Transition Sonoma Valley

Unitarian/Universalist of Petaluma Board of Trustees, The

Veterans For Peace #71

Water is Life

Wine and Water Watch

Women’s History Project

Word Temple

Jan 23

Senator Mike McGuire’s Winter WOW on February 2nd

It’s an opportunity to mingle with fellow Democrats – and to enjoy incredible local wine and brews, exquisite hors d’oeuvres, delectable desserts, and amazing live music.

 

WHEN: Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 6:30 p.m.  to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa
TICKETS: $25 per person in advance; $30 at the door
RESERVE TICKETS: www.SenatorMikeMcGuire.com/wow
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Karlene at Karlene@SenatorMikeMcGuire.com or (707) 838-3279

Jan 22

January 26th meeting: “Taking Action in the Time of Trump”

In the wake of the inauguration on Friday, January 20th, followed on Saturday by marches in Washington and throughout the country in support of the rights of women and resistance to the policies of Donald Trump, the Windsor/North County Democratic Club will meet on Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. at the Windsor Round Table Pizza, 8499 Old Redwood Hwy. Speakers from a variety of political action groups will give presentations on the topic “Taking Action in the Time of Trump,” focusing on ways to resist the agenda of the incoming administration.

Speakers from these organizations will be featured:

  • Indivisible has been created by former Congressional staffers who have written “A Practical Guide for Resisting Trump,” which outlines the tactics that were used by the Tea Party to obstruct President Obama and how these same tactics can be used to obstruct Trump.
  • Our Revolution is another newly formed national organization which has grown from the Senator Bernie Sander’s campaign. Our Revolution’s mission is to inspire and recruit a new generation of leaders and to provide them with support in campaigns for offices from school boards on up.
  • Organizing for Action grew from the Obama for America campaign team after the 2012 reelection. Following November’s election OFA has done phone banking in support of the Affordable Care Act.
  • The Political Organizing Committee is the political action arm of the Sonoma County Democratic Party, focusing on a variety of activities, including voter outreach and registration.

In addition, Gail Jonas will speak for 2 to 3 minutes about how the opposition to Measure R in Healdsburg succeeded in the November 2016 election.

Newly-elected Club President Richard Massell will preside over the meeting. Presenters will take questions from the audience after each presentation. The meeting is open to all, and pizza will be served.

 

 

Nov 12

Windsor/ North County Democratic Club Business Meeting on November 19th

For the second time in the past five presidential elections, the candidate receiving the most votes cast will not serve as our country’s leader. Due to the seemingly antiquated Electoral College system, an unqualified, bombastic showman will be the next president of the United States.

As North County Democrats deal with shock, disgust, and disappointment from Tuesday’s election, the Windsor/ North County Democratic Club will meet this coming Saturday, November 19th, at 1:30 p.m. at the Windsor Round Table Pizza, 8499 Old Redwood Highway, to commiserate and to discuss our path forward.

At the meeting, the club will explore options for our 2017 meetings, and other possible activities of the club in 2017. The results of local elections and ballot measures will also be analyzed.

At the meeting, the club will elect a new leadership team. Nominations will be taken from the floor for all officer positions. Club officers serve a two-year term.

The entire community is invited to attend; pizza will be served.

— Barry Hirsch

Oct 30

North County Candidates Speak

The Windsor/North County Democratic Club welcomed candidates endorsed by the Sonoma County Democratic Party to the club’s October 27th meeting. The candidates each gave a short presentation, followed by questions from the audience.

The county’s Democratic Party endorsed two candidates for the board of the Windsor Unified School District:

  • George Valenzuela is running for re-election, having served on the board since 2008. He has a long career in education as a teacher, attorney, and administrator. He is advocating for physical improvements to existing school facilities, but is fully aware of the challenges in securing funding. He also recognizes the need to provide support for students with English language deficiencies.
  • Esther Lemus, a Sonoma County Deputy District Attorney, was appointed to the board in 2015 and is running to be elected to the remainder of the term. Ms. Lemus was born in Santa Rosa and moved to Windsor during her high school years. She returned to the area after college and law school. She wants to increase student’s readiness for college and to close the achievement gap caused by differing socio-economic conditions.

The county party also endorsed two candidates for Healdsburg City Council who have differing views on Healdsburg Measure R, which would amend the current Growth Management Ordinance:

  • Tim Meinken, a small winery owner, is the only candidate for Council who opposes Measure R. He has previously unsuccessfully run for this office. He wants to find ways to increase inclusionary housing on city-owned parcels, if Measure R fails. Mr. Meinken favors the creation of a Latino Advisory Board.
  • Joe Naujokas, a software developer, is a newcomer to politics who favors Measure R, feeling that new growth regulations will provide more affordable housing. He wants to see more support for local businesses and the Latino community.

Two candidates were endorsed for the Windsor Town Council:

  • Incumbent Deb Fudge had a Windsor government meeting which prevented her from attending the October 27th meeting; she spoke to the club earlier in the year.
  • Julia Donoho, an architect and attorney who failed in a bid for this same office in 2006, favors the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge across U.S. 101 connecting the east and west sides of Windsor and helping to reduce the town’s auto traffic snarls. She would like to see a movie theater constructed near the Town Green, which she envisions as a way to keep people in town, supporting local businesses with a dinner and a movie combination

The Windsor/ North County Club will meet on Saturday, November 19, at 1:30 p.m. at the Windsor Round Table Pizza, 8499 Old Redwood Highway. New officers will be elected for two-year terms and topics for the club’s 2017 meetings will be discussed. Over the last few years the club has become a forum for the exploration of issues of concern to the entire North County region. Speakers have included area elected officials and experts in areas of concern to the county. The community is invited to get involved and to attend this upcoming meeting.

 

— Barry Hirsch

Oct 23

Cloverdale meeting on October 30th

All Cloverdale is invited to a meeting on Sunday, October 30th, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Vet’s Memorial Building, to discuss the seemingly endless series of ballot measures for the coming election. The meeting is sponsored by the Windsor/North County Democratic Club.

Speakers will include two candidates for Cloverdale City Council, Melanie Bagby and Mary Ann Brigham, who have been endorsed by the Sonoma County Democratic Party (SCDP). Other speakers will be the current chair of the SCDP, Bleys Rose, and the past chair, Stephen Gale, along with Dale Axelrod, chair of the Outreach, Advocacy and Legislation Committee of the SCDP.

This is the first meeting in Cloverdale of the Windsor/North County Democratic Club, which started in Windsor and is expanding its outreach efforts to the more of the 4th District.

The meeting will cover all 17 state ballot measures, 4 county measures, and Measure P in Cloverdale. There will be time for audience participation, including questions and hearing alternative points of view. Everyone is invited, regardless of party.

The Cloverdale Vet’s Building is located at 205 W First St. For more information, contact Carol Russell at incloverdale@comcast.net or Rick Massell at 707-696-9364.