May Minutes
The Democratic Party of Baxter County
Meeting Minutes
Donald W. Reynolds Baxter County Library
5/4/24
Chair Derek Huber called the meeting to order at 10:20
Pledge of Allegiance: Donnie Huffine Led the pledge
Minutes: Called for any changes to March minutes. Called for approval of minutes. Steve Blumreich made the motion. Glenda Huffine 2nd and all were in favor. March minutes were accepted.
Treasury Report: Karen Breton.
Karen passed out a statement of accounts as they stand currently. Reminded everyone to consider giving as we have 3 candidates to support. Last month we voted on signs for “Vote Decency” Signs. We will sell these in September for $20. Karen showed us the sign. We ran some social media ads and bought our signs last month and our current balance is $7,063.81.
Update: We collected $425 in donations at this meeting.
Chair Update: Derek Huber
Petitions: Ann Gluek gave an update: There are 5 petitions circulating right now. Freedom of Information Act which deals with the press accessing state government info. Education (vouchers), one for women’s healthcare, (abortion amendment, up to 18 weeks, and after that it’s a doctor/patient issue). Right now there is NO abortion in AR. There is also a petition going around for recreational marijuana use. Pink tax, sales tax on women’s feminine products, and diapers for adults and children. We need about 600 signatures for our county by the end of June. Petitioners have had a booth at the Farmers Market on Saturdays, and have seen a good response. These are all just to put these issues on the ballot, it’s not a “for” or “against”.
June meeting will be at the Back Forty. They treat us well so we would like to meet there and do some business with them as well. We are currently working on a fall fundraiser at The Back Forty on October 5th in the evening. This is pending approval from the Back Forty.
VAN: We found out we can filter our VAN lists even more. We will have call lists, mail lists, email lists, and door-knocking lists. We will also do a county-wide list so that we can work on “finding democrats” to join us and our committee. Next meeting we will have the VAN lists with scripts to get working toward the election.
We need to form a Campaign Contribution Committee, which will meet on its own, and make a decision as to what will be distributed to the candidates. Karen will chair this committee as the treasurer. This committee would come to the August meeting with a recommendation as to have much money to donate to candidates. The committee will consist of: Karen Breton, Mary O’Sheilds, Paulette Riley, Ann Gluek. Once they bring their recommendations to the body of the committee the committee will vote on it.
Tamela Dement’s, Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 18th from 2-4 pm at the Lake Norfork Dam Pavilion located at 230 Hatchery Drive.
The board has decided to skip the July meeting, as it falls on July 4th weekend. Then meet again in August where we will vote on distributing funds for candidates, and work on VAN lists.
History and Education: Mike Breton
Story on the Democratic Party of Baxter County website under “News” on Clyde T. Ellis on rural electrification. Mike gave us a fun short quiz on the article. He will be meeting with Bob Bodenhamer about doing an article on past judge, Joe Bodenhamer next.
New Business/Discussion
Steve Blumreich: update on Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers and the neighbors landfil. They have been very successful so far, the sale has been stopped for the time being, but this issue could come up again in the future. DEQ will not officially close the landfill on their books, which makes it possible to be re-opened in the future. This is what we are currently working on. We need people to keep eyes on this. A standing committee with representatives from the QC, CC, COC, and public is being formed, with the purpose of watching this issue and fighting this again when it comes up again. Steve thanked everyone for their support so far.
Need volunteers on petitions: even if you can help for just a couple of hours, this takes a lot of time, and money, see Johnny Rickman, Heather Graham, Karen Breton, to set up training. You do not have to travel to help out, we have enough local events to do it. Monday and Tuesday we will be at ASU all day in the science building with petitions. Today we have ASU student, Kelly Baker, who is involved with the ASUMH student government group and has been helping us with this. Thank you Kelly!
Announcements:
Sign the petitions today before you leave if you can.
Upcoming: 3 petitions are in the pipeline within the state, petition signing will be starting soon to get these ballot initiatives on upcoming ballots.
Womens Healthcare and Reproductive Rights
Freedom in Information Act
Learns Act/CAPES/ForARKids
Chair Derek Huber adjourned the meeting at 11:12 a.m.
Next DPBC Meetings: (1st Saturdays)
June 1st: 10:15 The Back Forty
July 6th: 10:00 Cancelled
August 3rd: 10:00 Pending Location
September 7th: Baxter County Library 10:15 a.m.
October 5th: Baxter County Library 10:15 a.m.
November 2nd: Baxter County Library 10:15 a.m.
December 7th: Baxter County Library 10:15 a.m.
City Council Meetings: (1st and 3rd Thursdays)
May 16th: City Hall 5 p.m.
June 6th: City Hall 5 p.m.
June 20th: City Hall 5 p.m.
County Quorum Court Meetings: (1st Tuesday)
June 4th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
July 2nd: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
August 6th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
Mountain Home School Board Meetings (3rd Thursday)
May 16th: Central Office 6 p.m.
June 20th: Central Office 6 p.m.
July 18th: Central Office 6 p.m.