Benton County Democratic Central Committee

Purpose of our Website

We hope you will find lots of useful information here, as well as a way to keep in tune with what Democrats are doing in Benton County.

Among other things, you will find an archive of our monthly newsletter The Democratic Reporter, links to other Democratic organizations, resources for Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs), and a calendar of local meetings.

Message from the Chair

July marks the halfway point on the calendar. Summer's just begun and there area number of special events we're looking to mark on our calendars. The Pastors for Peace will again be traveling through the Tri-Cities on Thursday, July 9th on their humanitarian trek to Cuba. This will be their 20th anniversary visit of compassion. The related event is co-sponsored by the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasco. World Citizens for Peace and the Tri-City Democrats will begin at 6 pm at the Church with a potluck with the program to follow.

On Saturday, July 18th, 10 am 'til noon, a number of local unions [SEIU, OPEIU & Teamsters] have invited area Democrats to join them across from Kennewick General Hospital for an informational picket and distribution of flyers. The theme will be "Justice for Health Care Workers". Unfortunately they're still at an impasse with a number of employers working out fair and just contracts.

And then on Saturday, August 1st we're holding our area-wide Democratic Party Picnic. This year it'll be on the Franklin County side of the River in Chiawana Parkin West Pasco. We expect candidates to be there both partisan and non-partisan, some state party officials, games and of course a special entree by way of a 'shrimp boil'! A donation of $10 per person would be appreciated. Look for more information on these events elsewhere in the newsletter and on our website! And Party participation in the Benton Franklin County Fair & Rodeo boothe we'll be running August 25th thru 29th. Our Co-Chairs for our Fair Booth will be Ann Muggli and Mickey Beary. If you'd like to volunteer EARLY please give us a call, four two person shifts per day need to be filled, 10 to 1, 1 to 4, 4 to 7 & 7 to 10.

Regina Speer has graciously accepted the position of Finance Committee Chair recently and Casey Burns has volunteered to head up our Phone Tree Committee. And of course, Dyanna Forsythe is continuing to do a fine job in distributing our newsletter.

We're still looking for Chairs of our Organization, Outreach and Candidate Development Committees. If you're interested, please contact me. And beginning with July we are going to try conducting our Executive Board meetings via teleconferencing. It's a tool routinely used in business and committee work and we're going to give it a try.

Our next Central Committee Meeting, July 15th will be held at the Richland City Services Building on S. Duportail, north of the Target Store in Richland.

We have a NEW HOTLINE Number. PLEASE put it in your address book, and your calendar Phone Directory: 546-8115;the old number will be good through August. Please use the number to verify the specifics on upcoming meetings and planned events. And remember you can always leave a message.

Those of you that are interested in Party activities with a more regional perspective remember that the Regional 13 state meeting of the Democratic National Committee will be meeting August 7th, 8th and 9th in Coeur d'Alene, practically in our backyard! In attendance will be the DNC Members from the Western States,Democrats from Idaho and Washington States. The training sessions will once again include the top experts in the areas of polling, training, targeting and other campaign skills. Featured speakers are to be announced. If you are serious about your politics and just may be considering a future therein, it would be a great opportunity to meet fellow Democrats and make a vacation out of an interesting opportunity. Please call me if interested.

For ANY information on upcoming events, meetings, of the Party and related organizations, PLEASE use our website calendar at www.bencodems.org/calendar for the latest information.

Bob Parazin
BCDCC Chair