October Minutes
October Minutes
Democrat Party of Baxter County
Meeting Minutes
Baxter County Library
10/5/24
Chair Mary O’Shields called the meeting to order at 10:17
Pledge of Allegiance: Donnie led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes: Called for any changes to August minutes. Called for approval of minutes. Derek Huber made the motion. Johnny Rickman 2nd and all were in favor. September minutes were accepted.
Treasury Report: Mary O’Shields for Karen Breton.
Mary reported that as of the end of August 2024 and with ACT Blue contributions the ending balance is $9480.51.
Update: $170 collected at this meeting.
Chair Update: Mary O’Shields
Mary asked the group to be thinking ahead for what goals to think about/address/target for the 25-26 year for the DPBC committee. She reminded the group that we will be electing new committee members in the new year and to think of possible candidates. Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer will all be open, plus two delegates that represent the county at state DPA meetings and events.
New Business:
A motion was made for a $1000 donation to Rodney Govens. 2nd by Johnny Rickman and approved.
A motion was made for a $500 donation to John Pagan. 2nd by Glenda Huffine and approved.
A motion was made for a $500 donation for Derek Huber. 2nd by Donnie Huffine and approved.
Candidate Updates:
Derek-He thanked the group for the donation. It will go for more door hangers to get the word out about his campaign. He will have a booth at Jamfest 10/19. He plans to do mailers and a text blast in addition to door hangers/canvassing and phone banking.
Donnie-Donnie wanted the group to know that he wants to work for the people. To listen and take that information to the quorum court. He is running against a gentleman that has been in the quorum court for some time, and he feels like he could bring new eyes to the group.
Johnny and Derek will be attending the forum at Rapps to discuss topics related to their campaign.
Special Speaker: John Pagan
John Pagan, who is running for state treasurer, spoke to the group. He brought excitement and joy to the group with his speech. He told us about himself-born and raised in Little Rock. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history at William and Mary; a master’s degree and a doctorate in history at Oxford University; and a law degree at Harvard. After law school, he passed the Arkansas bar exam, clerked for a federal appellate judge, and then became a law professor. He served on the Pulaski County Quorum Court and the Arkansas Senate. While in the senate he served on the Revenue and Taxation Committee and saw first-hand how the state’s financial system actually works. One of his proudest achievements as a state senator was his sponsorship of the bill that created the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program.
This is a special election for Treasurer. The treasurer is the state CIO, they manage investment portfolios and sit on the board of trustees for the retirement systems for teachers, public employees and highway employees. John Thurston, the current treasurer has actively stopped constituent led petitions. He is thwarting the will of the people with paperwork technicalities.
He ended with some ideals to remember moving forward-Hope, Truth and Decency.
Special Reminder:
Our November meeting will be held SATURDAY OCTOBER 26th from 6-7 p.m. at Back Forty.
After the meeting from 7-8 candidates-Derek Huber, Donnie Huffine, Johnny Rickman and Rodney Govens will be inside meeting with constituents.
From 8-10 the candidates will head to the back gravel bar and the Mellow Mountain Band will be playing. This part of the night will be a fundraiser for the committee and tickets are $20. BUY your tickets now on ACT Blue. Come eat and drink and celebrate with the group!!
Announcements:
Early voting will begin in Baxter County on 10/21/24 at Mtn.Home United Methodist Church- Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday’s 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Monday November 4th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Remember to check your voter registration status! Check it out here https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview
Joe Dillard will be here in January to speak to the committee about the history of democrats in north Arkansas.
We are holding off on a billboard for now!
Mary has some extra signs-contact us if you want one.
Sandi Cloud spoke to the group about a local group she has formed. It is called Ozark Forward and it is made up of local north central Arkansas women. This group is on facebook and wants to be active in the community to raise awareness of progressive causes and hopefully lead to local women running for offices.
Remember next month to bring a canned food item for local donation!
If you would like to discuss something or add something to the agenda please contact Mary at meaoshields@gmail.com or Jennifer at jennifer@baxtercountydemocrats.com and we will work to add that. Remember we allow time for discussion at the end of the meeting for these items.
Chair Mary O’Shields adjourned the meeting at 11:46 a.m.
Next DPBC Meetings: (1st Saturdays)
October 26th: Back Forty 6:00 p.m.-NOTE CHANGE IN DAY AND TIME
December 7th: Baxter County Library 10:15 a.m.
January 4th: Pending Location
February 1st: Pending Location
March 1st: Pending Location
April 5th: Pending Location
City Council Meetings: (1st and 3rd Thursdays)
October 17th: City Hall 5 p.m.
November 7th: City Hall 5 p.m.
November 21st: City Hall 5 p.m.
December 5th: City Hall 5 p.m.
December 19th: City Hall 5 p.m.
County Quorum Court Meetings: (1st Tuesday)
November 5th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
December 3rd: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
January 7th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
February 4th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
Mountain Home School Board Meetings (3rd Thursday)
October 17th: Central Office 6 p.m.
November 21st: Central Office 6 p.m.
December 19th: Central Office 6 p.m.
January 16th: Central Office 6 p.m
February 20th: Central Office 6 p.m.
