headlines:

WELCOME to HotLines. We send you HotLines, Benton County Democrats’ subscriber e-newsletter, on the 1st and 15th of the month to let you know how you can keep the Democratic Party strong here at the grassroots level.

Send us your announcements, news of events of interest, and needs for volunteers. We’ll pass them along.

body:

----------------------------------

1. ACTION NEEDED

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

3. EVENTS

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

5. SUCCESSES

6. THANKS

7. SHORT TAKES

Also:

VISIT AND USE BCDEMS WEBSITE

ABOUT HOTLINES

CONTACT THE BENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS

DONATE ONLINE

-----------------------------------

1. ACTION NEEDED

PRIMARY BALLOTS: Don’t forget that they’re due TOMORROW, May 16.

Reminder: If you wish to be elected as a precinct person in this election...(1) write in your name on your ballot, and (2) ask 2 or more friends to write in your name on theirs. It’s that easy.

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

----STILL WANTED: Office for Campaign Headquarters, 1000 sq. ft. for as low a price as we can get. If you know of a potential place, or want to lead the search, contact Biff Traber at biff.traber@comcast.net or call at 541-753-6735.

----The BCDEMS are having a friendly competition with the Linn Co. Dems to see who has the best attendance at the next 3 Central Committee meetings (precinct committee people). Since we need to get ready for the upcoming election, and since our SUCCESS depends on having enough volunteers to get the job done, PLEASE PARTICIPATE.

----The Legislative Accountability Committee would like to know about any votes, issues, or stances that our elected Democrats have taken which you believe are not in keeping with the BCDems’ platform. We will research the issue and draft correspondence, asking the elected official to account for his or her actions. Contact Leah Bolger, 207-7761, or ripken3@comcast.net.

3. EVENTS

----DAILY VIGIL protesting the war in Iraq, 5-6 pm in front of the Courthouse on 4th Street. Democrats gather there on Wednesday each week.

----May 16, Tuesday, ELECTION NIGHT, 7 pm: Candidates, supporters, and all good Dems will meet at the Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd, to follow election results. A no-host gathering of old and new friends.

----May 18, Thursday, 7 pm: BCDems’ regular monthly meeting. Grace Lutheran Church , Harrison and Kings, Corvallis. Doors open at 6:30. Program: “Talking American,” presented by Marion McNamara.

----May 25, Thursday, 7 pm: If you are ready to demand SECURE, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE that meets the needs of all Oregonians, join Betty Johnson and others to help organize a plan to create change in our health care system. First United Methodist Church, Martha Room , 1165 N.W. Monroe.

----May 25, Thursday: Fund-raiser/friend-raiser event for Paul Evans at the Grand Ballroom (187 N. High, Salem ) with Governor Kitzhaber. This evening we will reemphasize the mission of this campaign: to transform the political culture of our community. Email paulwins.06@gmail.com for more information.

----May 27, Saturday, 4 pm: Join Bus Project founder Jefferson Smith for $2 Oregon Trail pints and $1 for domestics. Learn what the Bus can do for you and find out what you can do with the Bus. Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd, Corvallis. RSVP to corvallisteam@busproject.org.

----May 27, Saturday, 6 pm: NAACP 2006 FREEDOM FUND BANQUET. Black Panther Party founder Bobby Seale will speak about the continuing heritage of the Black Panthers. A camera crew will record Mr. Seale’s address for use in a documentary film on the 40th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. Tickets are $45. Please contact Joan Collison, Freedom Fund Chair, at 541-745-7901.

----June 1, Thursday, 7 pm: DIANA SIMPSON for BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF Summer Kickoff Party. The campaign is well on its way and plans exciting events and opportunities this summer. Come hear live jazz, meet Diana, and find out about the latest campaign news. Salbasgeon Suites, McKenzie Conference Center. $25.00 suggested donation.

----June 7, Wednesday, 6-9 pm: The Economic Vitality Partnership will sponsor a TOWN HALL meeting at the Boys and Girls Club. Participants will discuss potential ECONOMIC ACTIONS for our community—what kinds of businesses share our values, what will matter to our economic health, and what concerns we have about our local economic future. This is our chance to find consensus about our economic future and to infuse Democratic values into our community. Open to all at no cost; pre-register at 757-1507 or contact Charlie Tomlinson with questions or concerns.

----June 2-4, Friday-Sunday: JOIN DNC CHAIR HOWARD DEAN at the DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATE CONVENTION, Hilton Hotel, Eugene. Gov. Dean and the DPO are joining hands to lead a resurgence of the Democratic Party—with a 36-county strategy in Oregon. Register now to show your support “if you want to end the Republican culture of corruption and incompetence.” www.dpo.org/inside/convention/2006.

----June 11, Sunday, 12:30 am-4:00 pm: PEACE FAIR, a fundraiser for PeaceWorks Foundation. Dr. Atomic’s Medicine show will perform. Food, poetry readings, songs, clowns and magic. To sign up or reserve a table, contact Ken McCormack 503-392-3717 or ken@kindrednews.com. A donation of $10/person or $15/couple is requested, but, of course, no one will be turned away.

----June 24, Saturday: Save this date on your calendar for DRIVE, a “night of politics as unusual” with the BUS PROJECT in Portland . In a warehouse you’ll find a bevy of bands, over 1,000 young progressives, THE BUS itself, and the next generation of Oregon ’s leadership. Check details at www.busproject.org/event.

----August 19, Saturday: BCDEMS’ ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC, BBQ, and contra dance. Save the date.

----2nd & 4th Thursdays: DRINKING LIBERALLY. Thirsty for change? Slake your democratic thirst at "Drinking Liberally." We get together at the very liberal Squirrel's Tavern in downtown Corvallis. Go
to the website for dates & special events and to sign up for the mailing list.

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

----If you would like to help the campaign of PETE SORENSON, please join an independent group of volunteers who are eager for an opportunity to help. [Remember: BCDEMS have not yet endorsed any Democratic candidates for governor.] If you would like to help canvass, distribute flyers, put up signs, and get Sorenson’s message out, please contact Bart & Leah Bolger at ripken3@comcast.net.

----Sam Sappington (SAM I AM) is campaigning for State Representative in House District 15. HD 15 includes 4 precincts in Benton County. Sam would like to do some canvassing in those precincts, including handing out literature for Linda Modrell, Pete Sorenson, Sara Gelser, Diana Simpson, and Mario Magana. Also included will be the DNC doorhanger used in the National Campaign Day on April 29. Sam will also recruit precinct people. If you can help, please call the Switzers at 928-7556 or 602-4369.

----EVENT ORGANIZERS WANTED:

Fourth of July Parade: We need someone to gather flags and campaign signs, and candidates & others to walk in the parade.

Philomath Frolic, July 6-9, Thursday-Sunday: Someone to organize Dems for the parade and rodeo. Does anyone have a donkey for the parade?

Da Vinci Days, July 14-16, Friday-Sunday: Does anyone have a bike to lend the candidates in the Kinetic Sculpture race or the bike parade?

If you can help with any of these events, please call Betty Malone, 929-2289.

5. SUCCESSES

----NATIONAL CANVASSING DAY: On April 29 Benton County Democrats came out to stretch their legs after a long, rainy winter of discontent with the Republican culture of corruption, starting our two-year WALK FOR CHANGE. Thanks to those who shared the Democratic Party vision and handed out literature on local candidates. Reports are of great conversations with other Dems and with non-aligned voters and of getting a sense of what’s on the voters’ minds. Based on our scientifically calculated fun-and-useful meter (most people thought the canvass was both), we will be having MONTHLY CANVASSING on the second Saturday of each month, beginning on JUNE 10 and canvassing PRECINCT 11. If you want to suggest a precinct for July, contact Marion (marion.democrat@concast.net). A summary of canvassers’ evaluations from the first canvass can be found at http://www.bcdems.net/

----Congresswoman DARLENE HOOLEY has just signed on as a co-sponsor of HR 543, which would provide for consideration of HJ Resolution 55—the HOMEWARD BOUND ACT. This act calls for the President to create and implement a plan to bring our troops home. Congresswoman Hooley was the 112th representative to sign on.

Check out all those who have signed at http://clerk.house.gov/109/lrc/pd/Petitions/Dis6.htm

----For those who might have missed the news, Corvallis has received recognition as an EPA GREEN POWER COMMUNITY. Only 2 other communities in the nation have so far met the standards for using renewable power. Watch for highway signs to recognize us.

6. THANKS

----The April 24 Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Night was exciting, thanks to the presence of Pete Sorenson, Jim Hill, and Mayor Helen Berg, representing Gov. Kulongoski. Eighty Democrats filled the MU East International Forum to hear candidates’ positions on current issues. Thanks to moderator, Bill Lunch, musicians Matt Jager and Joel Fisher, and BCDems Betty Malone, Liz Kapustka, Bob Stebbins, Ann Gaidos-Morgan, Clark House, Sam Sappington, Bart Bolger, Leah Bolger, Hundley Bergstad, Tina Empol, Tanya Shively, and Dick & Nancy Johnston. Special thanks to

----ASOSU State Affairs director, Joel Fisher (an OSU Dem), for working closely with BCDems Gail Wolcott, Valerie White, and LoErna Simpson. We registered 4 persons to vote and sold many buttons and bumper stickers.

----From Leah Bolger…Many thanks to the Democrats who participated in the PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDRAISER—“CHOICE-O.” We raised about $450 and had a great time doing it.

7. SHORT TAKES

----Look into an intriguing new book that uncovers THE CONSERVATIVE NANNY STATE, HOW THE WEALTHY USE THE GOVERNMENT TO STAY RICH AND GET RICHER, authored by Dean Baker, well-known economist. Could it be a MYTH that conservatives favor the market over government intervention? To download a free electronic copy of the book, visit www.conservativenannystate.org.

----Have you heard him say it? Three presidents answered the question, “What was the best moment of your presidency?” One answered “The Camp David negotiations.” One answered “The resolution of the Kosovo crisis.” What did Pres. Bush say? Check it out at http://ypyernoz.blogspot.com/2006/05/great-moments-in-history.html and follow the links.

----See the latest news from the Democrats’ GLBT caucus at www.dpo.org/caucus/glbt, including the announcement of the National Stonewall Democrats Convention in Philadelphia on June 2-4. And…

----This week at OSU: 2006 Queer Pride Celebration--The Queer Agenda: Justice for All (May 15-19). For information contact the Rainbow Continuum at www.oregonstate.edu/groups/rcosu

VISIT AND USE BCDEMS WEBSITE

You'll find up-to-the-minute information about BCDems and useful links to other sites. Under the "News" headings, you'll find the current issue of BCDems HotLines. You can also get access to post your own information and opinion. For content questions, ask Rachel Ozretich, racheloz@peak.org. Todd Barnhart, barnhart@subboy.net, is the technical editor.

ABOUT HOTLINES

If you know someone who would like to receive HotLines, send the email address (with their permission) to hotlines@bcdems.net, and be sure to put "HotLines" in the subject line. Or let them know they can sign up for HotLines on our website. We want HotLines to be useful to our subscribers. Send news items and events to be included to Davi Richards at hotlines@bcdems.net. We also welcome comments, suggestions, criticisms, and general feedback on content, readability, length, frequency, and other thoughts.

CONTACT THE BENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS

Mail: P.O. Box 232, Corvallis OR 97339
Email: bcdems@bcdems.net
Web: http://bcdems.net
Phone: 541.752.4848

DONATE ONLINE