Chittenden County Democratic Committee Reorganizes

The Chittenden County Democratic Committee convened on October 20th to reorganize as required by Vermont law. Chairman Mike Yantachka called the meeting to order shortly after 7 PM with more than 70 delegates present. The first order of business was the election of officers beginning with a new Chairperson. Jake Perkinson was nominated by Milton Town Chair Reg Godin. With no other nominations for the position, Jake was unanimously elected, whereupon, Mike Yantachka turned the meeting over to him.

The two positions related to representation on the State Democratic Committee were contested. Selene Hofer-Shall and Robyn McGuire were both nominated for the position of State Committeewoman, and Ed Adrian and Robert Hooper were both nominated for the position of State Committeeman. Hofer-Shall and Hooper won those elections by secret ballot.

The other officer positions were not contested and were filled by Vice-Chair Bob Hooper, Secretary Robyn McGuire, Treasurer Jesse Bridges, and Assistant Treasurer David Cain. Mary Sullivan, Marcella Chiarello and Joanna Cole were elected Alternate Delegates to the State Committee, also without opposition.

Following the election of officers, outgoing treasurer Ken Brown gave his final financial report and offered his help in transitioning the duties of Treasurer to Bridges.

In acknowledgement of the early start to the 2010 campaigns, Perkinson invited declared candidates for county offices to introduce themselves to the Committee. Philip Baruth, Ralph Montefusco, Andy Montroll and Mike Yantachka each spoke as candidates for the Vermont Senate, and Charles Delaney spoke as a candidate for Assistant Judge. Chittenden County Senator Doug Racine, candidate for Governor, was also invited to address the Committee. All candidates were limited to two minutes.

During the meeting several door prizes were raffled off as a fund-raiser. The raffle netted $130 for the treasury. The meeting was adjourned just after 8 PM.
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Correction: Chittenden County Democratic Reorganization Meeting - October 20, 2009

The biennial reorganization meeting of the Chittenden County Democratic Committee will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 7:00 PM, at the South Burlington High School cafeteria, Dorset Street, South Burlington.

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

1. Election of Officers
2. Report of the outgoing Treasurer
3. Introduction of declared candidates for county and statewide office
4. Other business

The meeting is open to all, but only County Committee Delegates will be eligible to vote on matters before the Committee. An Alternate Delegate from a town may vote if a Delegate from that town is not present. Each town will have no more voting delegates than the number of delegates allocated to that town. Non-delegates will have observational privileges only.

Nominations for all officer positions will be open from the floor. Candidates may nominate themselves or have someone else nominate them.
Several persons have announced their intention to run for a position:
Chair - Jake Perkinson
Vice-Chair - Bob Hooper (incumbent)
State Committeewoman - Marcella Chiarello (incumbent)
Alternate State Committee Delegates - Mary Sullivan and Joanna Cole (incumbents)

The offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, State Committeeman, and a third Alternate State Committee Delegate are open. Anyone interested in running for any of these offices can contact me ahead of the meeting.

In order to improve the state of our treasury, several door prizes donated by current officers will be raffled during the meeting. Tickets will be sold at the door.

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