House Campaign Fundraiser Held

The Vermont Democratic House Campaign made its way into southern Chittenden County this week. Charlotte Democratic Committee Vice-Chair Ron Miller and his wife, Jill Wolcott, hosted Speaker Gaye Symington (Jericho) and Representatives Joan Lenes (Shelburne), Bill Lippert (Hinesburg), and Scott Orr (Charlotte), along with dozens of local supporters at their McNeil Cove home. Speaker Symington spoke about the landmark legislation that was passed this past year in the areas of education, child sex-abuse prevention, global warming, and campaign finance reform among others. She contrasted the cooperation the legislature got from the Douglas administration on some of the bills with its resistance on others.

Rep. Orr described the big difference between the Governor's rhetoric and his actions. For example, the Governor failed to fund Children's Services in its budget presented to the legislature, but then took credit for it in a big signing ceremony after the legislature restored the funds. Similarly, the Douglas has been quick to praise the Vermont Energy Efficiency Corporation when speaking to out-of-state groups, but worked against its expansion to include all fuels. Reps. Lippert and Lenes also spoke of their work on the Judiciary and Institutions committees, respectively.

The audience was engaged and asked many questions of and offered varied opinions to the legislators after their initial comments. Reps. Helen Head (So. Burlington) and Floyd Nease (Johnson) also attended the gathering. Money raised during the evening will be used during the 2008 election to expand the Democratic majority in the House.

County Reorg Caucus Results

The caucus held on Wednesday evening at Contois Auditorium was well attended and ended early enough for attendees to catch the opening pitch of Boston Red Sox-Colorado Rockies World Series on TV. The election of officers resulted in the following:

• Chair: Mike Yantachka (Charlotte)
• Vice-Chair: Robert Ready (Colchester)
• Secretary: Thomas Walsh (South Burlington)
• Treasurer: Ken Brown (Hinesburg)
• Asst. Treasurer: Wendy Patterson (Hinesburg)
• State Committeewoman: Marcella Chiarello (Shelburne)
• State Committeeman: Tom Obbagy (Jericho)
• Alternate State Committee Delegates: Mary Sullivan, Steve Boyan, Joanna Cole (all Burlington)

The keynote speaker of the evening was Jill Krowinski, Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic Party. She encouraged everyone to get actively involved with the various opportunities to further the message and goals of the VDP. These opportunities include the Media Corps, which informs participants about important issues for letters to the editor, the Douglas-watch project, and the voter file project.

A fund-raiser raffle was held for a bottle of Charlotte Village Winery Merlot, a huge jar of Coyote Ridge Apiary honey, and 20% of the take of raffle ticket sales.

We need you to help with several "task-forces" or subcommittees, including planning, fund-raising, and voter file coordination. So, contact Chairman Mike Yantachka or Vice Chair Robert Ready if you would like to help in any of these ways.

COUNTY REORGANIZATION CAUCUS

When: Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 7PM
Where: Contois Auditorium in City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington map

Our biennial reorganization caucus will be held at Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington, VT, at 7:00 PM. County Committee Delegates elected at the local caucuses will elect officers for the next two years. While a number of officers are running again, there are some vacancies. If you have an interest in becoming an officer, I would be happy to hear from you ahead of time. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. If you are interested in being considered for an officer position, please come to the meeting prepared with a person to nominate you and another person to second the nomination. We welcome your participation in this process.

We will also have the privilege of hearing from both the VDP Executive Director, Jill Krowinski, and the current State Committee Chairman, Ian Carleton, during the meeting. Although only delegates will have voting privileges at the caucus, everyone is welcome to attend and become involved in the work of the Democratic Party at the county level.

For more information, contact me, County Chair Mike Yantachka, at miyantach@hotmail.com or 425-3960.

Chittenden County Democrats Talk about Cervical Cancer on Ch 17

On October 1, 2007, the Chittenden County Democrats call-in show on Channel 17 featured Rep. Denise Barnard of Richmond, who spoke about her efforts to obtain state funding for an HPV immunization program. Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV) affects women by causing cervical cancer. The pharmaceutical company Merck has developed a vaccine called Gardasil that can be administered to non-pregnant girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26 as prevention against 4 different types of HPV.

While the show was taped on October 1st, it will be rebroadcast at the following dates and times in Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski and Essex:
Mon, Oct 15, 2007 at 9:30:00 PM
Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 2:30:00 AM
Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 8:30:00 AM
Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 2:30:00 PM.

Our next show, which will be broadcast live at 5:25 PM on November 5th, will feature Chittenden County State's Attorney Thomas J. Donovan.