From the New Harford Democratic Club:
Minutes of the New Harford Democratic Club
Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at the Aberdeen Holiday Inn Express
President Johnson opened the meeting at 7:03 pm
Johnson led those present in a pledge to the flag.
President Johnson welcomed everybody for coming out and encouraged everyone to urge friends to come out and join with others working for our political future. He asked those present to stand and introduce themselves. There were several new faces in the crowd.
Johnson noted that there will be municipal elections coming up and candidates need workers. He said the next election is Havre de Grace and one of the club’s members, Jason Robertson will be a candidate for the council. He ran the last election and lost for just a few votes.
Treasurers report from George Harrison. He reported the current operating account has $19,581.95. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
He asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Approved unanimously.
Johnson thanked those who came to the last board meeting to prepare the mailing for dues renewal.
He asked for reports for any other clubs. Former president of the Main Street Club, Ina Johnson, said the club is currently on hiatus.
Johnson asked for any committee reports.
Art Helton said the voter registration effort was awaiting for warmer weather to begin the effort.
Johnson discussed fund raising, reporting how successful the Cummings event had been. He noted that the club raised about $8,000 for future campaigns. He said the club will use the money to match funds raised by candidates.
On issues and Legislation, George Harrison stated that with the proposed county budget release on April 15, the club will be monitoring the discussions.
Johnson introduced the night’s speaker, Allison Galbraith, who plans to run for 1st district congress now held by Republican Andy Harris.
Allison said she hasn’t yet filed for the seat, that she wants to hear from the public. She said she grew up in Bel Air, graduated from Bel Air High. She said she grew up with a strong mother who urged her to stand up for what she believes.
She is a graduate of the University of Md, College Park. She is a single mother with a 9 year old son.
She said her concerns about education for her child and health care for her family are two of the major issues that concern her with Andy Harris. He supports vouchers for schools and reductions to the Affordable Care Act, both of which would have a major impact on her family. She has tried to contact Harris about these issues and has received inadequate answers from him. “He just doesn’t answer the questions that I asked,” she said. She said she is also concerned about the immigration ban and the effect the Trump ban is having on our country. He has no answers for anything.
After graduating from college, marriage and raising her son, Allison went to work with Dept of Defense as a technical writer, then worked with various departments, learning various things, such as budgeting. She now has her own company specializing in working with small business helping them write proposals for government programs.
She said she has extensive knowledge in how things work and knows how to make sure government can work more efficiently.
She said she became “really angry” after the Trump election and decided she needed to do something. She decided that if she disagrees with Andy Harris, she needs to see that he doesn’t return to congress. That’s why she is talking to people to get to know what they are concerned with and what they want.
The rest of the evening was spent in a question and answer session, covering many issues that concern Harford County residents.
President Johnson said Democrats need start supporting local candidates to give the party a full slate in the next elections. He noted that the tea party crowd got its start at the local area and they have been successful and Democrats can do the same if we just make the effort.
President Johnson thanked everyone for coming.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:46p.
Submitted by George Harrison, Acting Secretary.
Don’t give up your day job, Allison.