From the New Harford Democratic Club:
General Membership Meeting
February 4 , 2015
Meeting called to order at 7:06pm by President Ann Helton, who started the meeting by handing out a member questionnaire to all in attendance.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Helton reminded everyone that dues needed to be paid in order to maintain membership.
Russ Kovach mentioned that the Central Committee met the previous week and were looking for volunteers to march with the Democratic Party float in the Havre de Grace Mardi Gras parade on Tuesday, February 17.
Tom Myers received a report from the Young Dems that they will meet at the Fox and Fern in Forest Hill on Wednesday, February 18.
Rose Marie O’Brien mentioned that the African American Democratic Club, in conjunction with other Democratic organizations, is organizing a bus trip to see the movie Selma at6 the Regal Cinema in Abingdon on Saturday, February 7. The club’s next meeting will be March 10 at St. James AME in Havre de Grace.
No report from the Main Street Dems.
A motion to approve minutes of the January 7 meeting was made by Bill Temmink, seconded by Tom Myers. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report (George Harrison)
With the addition of $30 in dues, there is $11,603.11 in the operating account. There is no money in the PAC account, as it was spent during the campaign and closed shortly thereafter.
A motion to approve the Treasurer’s report was made by Tom Myers, seconded by Russ Kovach. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion to approve the addition of Andy Powell and Gracie Brett to the Board of Directors was made by Russ Kovach and seconded by Wendy Sawyer. The motion was approved unanimously.
President Helton reminded everyone that the questionnaire, which was handed out at the start of the meeting, was a way to focus on what the goals of the club should be in the coming months.
President Helton announced that the 5th Annual CASA of Harford County will be holding their annual Bull and Oyster Roast at Jarrettsville Gardens on Saturday, February 28 from 6-10pm. Tickets purchased will automatically enter the purchaser into a raffle for a chance to win an autographed Terrell Suggs helmet.
Swearing-in of new members: Steve Johnson (President), Wendy Sawyer (Vice-President), Tom Myers (Secretary), George Harrison (Treasurer), Jason Fournier, Nicky Fournier, Art Helton, Rose Marie O’Brien and Andy Powell. Gracie Brett was not present.
There are still two vacancies on the Board of Directors.
President Helton introduced Rachel Gauthier, member-elect of the Harford County Board of Education’s District E seat.
Ms. Gauthier has been a resident of Harford County for 12 years. She has been married for 20 years and has two children, a boy (in kindergarten) and a girl, Chloe (age 8). She is a school counselor for Stemmers Run Middle School, where she has been for 14 years. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology and received her Master’s in Counselor Education from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College).
Ms. Gauthier ran for the seat because she saw how her daughter was concerned for issues such as teacher pay and student safety. At the urging of her friend, a PTA president, she filed to run. Her area of specialty is student support services.
A question and answer session ensued.
President Helton turned the meeting over to newly-sworn President Steve Johnson. President Johnson gave his background and encouraged those in attendance to attend City and County Council meetings to “keep tabs and keep score” of the Republicans, who now have control over the County Government.
A question and answer session ensued.
New Board member Andy Powell spoke and said he sees a major problem in Harford County is the average voter is disillusioned. He mentioned that he is a member of the American Legion in Aberdeen and that it is a great place to hold fundraisers as it holds 288 people.
A question and answer session ensued.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas C. Myers, Secretary
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