Tuesday evening’s membership meeting of the Chesterfield Township Democrats opened with a rousing greeting from lead facilitator Mark Kumming, Co-Chair, as he greeted more than 100 people in attendance at the Candidate Forum for aspirants to the Democratic Nomination for Congressional District 2 to oppose the incumbent Republican and Trump puppet Ann Wagner.

The meeting was co-sponsored by West County Democrats with Glenn Koenen, Co-Chair, in attendance.  Glenn is a noted authority on both national, state and local legislative activities and has the honor of contending with Rep. Wagner in 2012. 

The heart of this meeting was the Candidate Forum featuring, in alphabetical order, Bill Haas, Robert Hazel, John Messmer, Mark Osmack and Cort VanOstran all facing each other in the August 7th primary.  The format was a panel fielding questions composed by audience members and read by meeting facilitator Kumming and CTD Co Chair Mike Kean.

The questions and answers covered the candidate’s positions on everything from medical marijuana, education, and earned benefits to tax reform, campaign finance, healthcare and gun violence.  Each candidate opened and closed with a two minute campaign appeal.  In all, the Forum lasted an hour and half. 

Candidates received vigorous applause and cheers for specific issues or when a notable Republican foible received mention, which were many.  At both the outset of the meeting and afterwards candidates networked by supporters.  One attendee commented:  It was fun to be able to applaud and cheer our candidates.”

Also in the audience were members of the United Auto Workers (UAW.)  Attending too were candidates vying for state positions and who were featured at the Candidate Forum held by CTD in May.  Included in this group were Genevieve Stiedtmann in the 101st, Chuck Triplett contending in the 98th, Boris Abadzhyan (71st) and Don Klein (70th) who are facing primary challenges. John Kiehne for State Senate 26 was also present. 

Kumming closed the meeting with an appeal for membership to join one of several committees forming — The Programs Committee and Community Outreach Committee.  Both, Co-Chair Kumming said, were essential to CTD club sustainability.  He also invited all to attend CTD’s next membership meeting slated for July 10 at the Daniel Boone Branch of the SLCL and that will feature strategies for voter registration and for getting out the Democratic vote.

WHAT       

Meet the Candidates for the Democratic Nomination

for Second Congressional District of Missouri

WHEN      

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

WHERE     

Daniel Boone Public Library

300 Clarkson Road

Room 1

WHO

Currently scheduled to appear:   

Bill Haas

Robert Hazel

John Messmer

Mark Osmack

Cort VanOstran

 

On Tuesday evening, 57 people crowded into room 1 of the Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library to meet and vet 10 MO House District Candidates.  We’re six months ahead of the the general election on November 6th and three ahead of the primary on August 7th, but by the strategies detailed by the candidates  and the passion evident in the presentations you’d think the elections were next Tuesday.

Each candidate presented her or his credentials and a thumbnail sketch of why they were running.  Highlights of the evening including Genevieve Steidtmann, who is running in the 101st (mostly Chesterfield and Wildwood), and who highlighted clear and concise talking points.  Helena Webb, running in the 100th, who couldn’t be in the room but who sent a video message via tablet highlighting her campaign strategy.  Also in attendance in non-primary races were Chuck Triplett in the 98th, Mike LaBozzetta in the 99th.  Al Gerber, Committeeman for the Missouri River Township stood in for Kevin Fitzgerald, 89th, who could not be at the meeting.

Five candidates who are vying in primaries joined this group.  Paula Brown, Don Kline, and Greg Upchurch seek nomination from the 70th and Boris Abadzhyan and LaDonna Appelbaum from the 71st.

After these brief speeches, the candidates held mini-caucuses for their voting constituents.  Seated around tables spread throughout the room, those attending could ask direct questions of the candidate.  These caucuses lasted through the remainder of the evening and in some cases bumped up to the library’s closing time, they were that engaging.

If you were there, you will attest to the vibrancy of the meeting and the energy in the room.

If your weren’t there and live in one of these districts, you missed an opportunity to feel some real hope for the future of our region and our state.

Do you have to be a Township Committeeman to have an impact in your community?
Emphatically, no, you do not. And in fact, we encourage you to be involved in your community and in township activities before committing to such a position of responsibility. You can do this step by step by joining your local Township Club. We of course recommend Chesterfield Township Democrats Club. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month beginning in July, 2018 (May 1 and June 5th prior). It has been famously attributed to anyone from Ben Franklin to Woody Allen that “90% of success is just showing up.” Few would disagree.

The next 10% — and we need you at this level — is as simple as joining one of the numerous Action Committees that are the lifeblood of Chesterfield Township Democrats. Committees currently forming include:

Membership
Recruitment
Retention
Recognition
Community Outreach
Local Government Liaison
Business Associations
Labor Alignments
Media and PR
Internet Presences
Collateral Development & Distribution
Outlet Announcements
Programming
Topic Generation
Speaker Selection
Venue Preparation
Finance
Budget Formation
Fundraising
Compliance

All of these represent current needs of any organization seeking sustainability, seeking a continued legacy of community integration and involvement. We strongly believe that in Chesterfield, MO, Chesterfield Democrats and their representative Township Club is a seamless part of the community and our adherence to social justice, fair mindedness, civility and dialogue are part of our shared community fabric.

Joining and participating on one of these committees, perhaps even leading it, is a way to give back, to pitch in, and to achieve. The work is not onerous and really is just what you wish it to be. None of us judge, measure or evaluate. We only are grateful for one another’s participation and affiliation.

So, join CTD, attend meetings, participate on a committee. That is how you and we can “just show up” and make a difference!

CLICK HERE to download an Adobe Acrobat PDF document of this list.

Saturday, April 7, 11:30-12:30  WE CAN Black Lives Matter vigil at Chesterfield Commons, near Sonic

1:00-2:30  WE CAN ASSIST Team (Stay in School) monthly mtg re: Kirkwood and Parkway Schools, @ Kaldi’s in the valley

Saturday, April 7, 6:30-9:30  Town Hall for US Senators and Representatives (or their opponents) sponsored by March for Our Lives, as part of a national effort. Kirkwood Baptist, 211 N. Woodlawn Ave, 63129.  https://www.facebook.com/events/239592749944949/ 

Monday, April 9, 7 PM, “Moms Demand Action” briefing by Mary Gross @ Craft Chameleon (back room), Clayton and Clarkson next to Walnut Grill.

Thursday, April 12, 7 PM, “Criminal Justice Ministry” presentation by Anthony DeAgostino and friend, St Claire of Assisi,  15642 Clayton Rd, Ellisville (east of Clarkson)

Saturday, April 14, 8:00-4:00, “Equity in Education Conference: Actions for Social Justice in Education” , Billie Mayo featured speaker.  $25 Webster U, webster.edu/equity-in-education-conference

Mon April 15, 7 PM, Maplewood Comm. Builders Public Forum on Prop P funds, New Destiny Church, 7174 Manchester Rd. (present survey results, prioritize, present to city council)

Thursday, April 19, 6:30 PM, Democratic Candidates Forum (some), County Library HQ. S. Lindbergh. Hosted by Indivisible.  M. Osmack, H. Webb, K. Fitzgerald, S. Unsicker, M. LaBozzetta, L. Applebaum.

Saturday, April 21, 11:30-12:30  WE CAN vigil for BLM @ Clarkson and Clayton, signs available or bring your own.

Sunday, April 22, 2-4:00, “MultiCultural Competency Training” by Mary Ferguson of YWCA, sponsored by WG Action Group, location TBD in Webster Groves.  dokmille@gmail.com for info and registration

Wednesday, April 25, 6-9:30 PM, Forward Thru Ferguson “#STL2039 Launch”, Windows on Washington, snacks

Saturday, May 5^th, Charlie King (folk singer of note) Benefit Concert, 7:30 PM at Marianist Retreat Center, off 109 in Eureka, Tickets $15.00 in advance (cf: Jim Moore, moorejd59@gmail.com) or $20.00 at the door.  $10.00 goes toward building three tiny houses for the homeless; Social Justice 4 All project.

 

 

 

At the March 6th meeting of Chesterfield Township Democrats held at the Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library, membership elected the following officers:

Mark Kumming, Co-Chair (2 year term)

Mike Kean, Co-Chair (1 year term)

Sue McCool, Secretary (1 year term)

Paul McCool, Treasurer (1 year term)

Brian Legate and Marti Maurer continue in their roles as Committee Persons elected by Chesterfield Township voters in general election years (4 year terms).  Jo Ann Hughes continues as chair of CTD membership committee.  Other committee positions are available.

An important note:  Beginning July 2018, our meetings will move to the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

West County Democrats
Presents
Focus 2018
New Missouri Voter Photo ID Law and Your Rights Within It

Missouri’s new confusing voter photo ID law threatens to deter voters who lack the required government issued photo ID. This kind of law, which is similar to those of other states, historically has disproportionately affected seniors, low-wage workers, women, voters with disabilities, homeless, students, and voters of color.
How Can We Help?

Wednesday, March 28, 2018
6:00 to 8:00 pm
United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 655
300 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO 63011
Light eats and beverages start at 6pm – Free will donations accepted

Speakers:
Denise Lieberman a nationally recognized expert on voting rights, is Senior Attorney and Co-Director of the Power & Democracy Program at Advancement Project, where she oversees the organization’s Voter Protection and Right to Vote initiatives.  A seasoned constitutional and civil rights lawyer, Lieberman is at the forefront of voting rights debates in her home state of Missouri and across the country. She has litigated challenges to discriminatory Photo ID laws in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina and has prepared testimony on voting rights for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, and has been featured as a voting expert on MSNBC, CNN, PBS, the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and others. In Missouri, Denise coordinates the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, through which she organizes the non-partisan election protection efforts to monitor polls in Missouri on Election Day. In the wake of the implementation of Missouri’s new photo ID law this June, Advancement Project and ACLU brought a lawsuit challenging the law’s implementation, which is currently pending in the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Nancy Price is the League of Women Voters STL Speakers Bureau Chair and Secretary.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League of Women Voters is a 501(c)3 organization which has two separate and distinct roles.

A Focus 2018 Event Presented by West County Democrats
www.westcountydemocrats.org