West Seattle, Burien , White Center, Vashon and Maury Islands www.34dems.org September 9, 2015 Report from the Chair Meeting Notice The recent 95 th commemoration of Women’s National 6:30 Social, 7:00 Meeting Equality Day (August 26 th ) got me thinking about the The Hall at Fauntleroy role of women’s equality in the 34 th Dems. I’m not the 9131 California Ave SW first woman chair of this organization. I know of three Across from the YMCA others besides myself. But it still amazes me that I am one of the few women legislative district or county chairs in the state. 7:00 Call to Order

We can be proud of Senator Sharon Nelson and Rep. Updates from Candidates and Eileen Cody representing us in Olympia, Lauren Berkowitz on the Burien City Council, two great women Campaigns candidates running to be the 34th’s first representative on the Seattle City Council, and another endorsed 34 th Ballot Initiative Presentations: woman who is running for an at-large position. We Best Starts for Kids, King County Prop 1 have a great legacy and a bright future. Honest Elections, Seattle I-122 I remember when my mother wasn’t able to open her Let’s Move Seattle, I-900 own checking account, argued with her husband just to get a part-time job while her kids were in school, and Endorsements: told me how much she had wanted to go to college but her dad thought it was stupid for women to do so. In Port of Seattle Positions 2 and 5 part, because of her struggle, I became the first person Burien City Council Position 2 in my family to graduate from college.

My point is that it’s so important to ask women to run, Campaign contributions and people of color as well. Frequently, women say it’s not the best time or they aren’t ready. One of my favorite things to do is to ask a young girl to run for office. Try it sometime and watch the reaction. It’s amazing. In This Issue

Yes, I’m a diehard Democratic partisan. I’ll be voting A few Costumes from the Garden Party ...... Page 2 and working for whoever captures the nomination, Garden Party Photos, Thank Yous and Figures Page 3 especially because of the appointments to the Supreme Joe McDermott’s 5th Annual Bowling Party ...... Page 3 Court. But, I have to tell you, I’m hoping for a woman, Treasurer’s Report ...... Page 3 because of all those young girls out there, who need a Bulletin Board ...... Page 4 reason to believe they can make a difference, just as Contact Information for Legislators ...... Page 5 much as their brothers. And it’s one job, where the pay Conservation Voters Award to Joe Page 5 Report from the August Meeting of the KCDCC Page 6 will be equal. List of Candidates on the November Ballot . . . .Page 6 Marcee Stone-Vekich, Chair Bernie Sanders in Seattle My Own Opinion . . ..Page 7 Executive Board Chair Marcee Stone Vekich 206-465-1963

First Vice Chair Ted Barker 206-954-7755

Second Vice Chair, Finance Chair Carol Frillman 425-785-7502

Treasurer Karen Chilcutt 206-935-3216

Secretary Kathryn Sprigg 206-933-6754

State Committeewoman Lisa Plymate 206-937-5050

State Committeeman Chris Porter 206-856-0182

King County Committeewoman Martha Koester 206-762-6417

King County Committeewoman Alternate Brianna Thomas

King County Committeeman Steve Butts 206-935-0798

King County Committeeman Alternate Gangster Bill Schrier (that’s not a violin in Chris Langler that case) and his lovely “moll” Kathy 503-913-6486 A very dapper Lou Frillman and his lovely Bylaws Brian Earl and Steve Karbowski wife Carol are off to the speakeasy

Communications Chair Mike Parker 206-935-3731

Diversity Committee Chair Lois Schipper 206-919-6914

Hospitality Chair Mike Heavey 206-755-1576

Legislative Action Committee Chair Tamsen Spengler 206-932-2772

Membership Chair Joy Pakulak 206-380-5448

Outreach Chair Steve Butts 206-935-0798

PCO Committee Chair, Sgt at Arms Les Treall 206-948-5423

Program Committee Marcee Stone, Ted Barker, Sofia Aragon

Technology Chair Richard Bartlett

Parliamentarian Allan Munro

Website Bill Schrier 206-937-8045 Chris Porter is on his way to the beach with

Newsletter Editor Chris Weiss, winner of the best costume is a rich his beach ball, for a game of volleyball Jackie Dupras preppie going off to Yale where he will perfect his perhaps? 206-935-9683 tennis game. -2 2015 Garden Party It was not our best as far as income goes, but we sure had a good time. Maybe it was wearing wild costumes, or maybe it was the Roaring Twenties, but this year’s Garden Party was just plain fun. Special thanks to Taf Bethaday Learning Center, a very supportive venue Great food from ACT 3 Catering Delicious desserts, a few from Bakery Nouveau, Casey MacGill Duo And extra special thanks to All our donors and volunteers, and The Renton Printery, a union shop, for printing our program for FREE. There was a lot of picture taking at this event, more so than usual because of all the wonderful costumes. Here Ed Dupras is taking a picture of Tamsen Spengler taking a picture of our entertainment for the evening, the Casey MacGill Duo. These are preliminary numbers from the Garden Party,and will most certainly change, and for the better.

Silent Auction: ...... $ 3,841 Fast Paddle: ...... 615 Live Auction ...... 3,605 Dessert Dash ...... 1,433 50/50 Drawing ...... 615 Total $10,109 Congratulations to those on the silent auction committee. I don’t think we have ever done better financially or had better quality items.

Tickets still available for Swanky Cocktail Party hosted by Joe McDermott and Eileen Cody on Thursday, September 10, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Eileen Cody’s home 6714 38th Ave SW in Seattle 206-935-9176. You may pay at the September 9 34th District meeting, or you may pay online. Just be sure to let Karen Chilcutt know so she won’t apply your payment to membership instead. She has no way of knowing unless she hears from you. Treasurer’s Report for August 30, 2015

Balance as of June 26, 2015 . . .$13,967.39 Add Revenues ...... 19,636.48 Less Expenses ...... 11,721.59 Balance as of August 29, 2015. $ 21,882.28

-3- 34th District Bulletin Board

34th District Democrats Meetings FiestasPatrias Parade and booth All meetings of the 34th District Democrats are March in this lively parade or help cover our open to any of our members. booth. Saturday, September 19 Executive Board Contact Steve Butts for more information Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 p.m. Puget Ridge Co-Housing Common House 7020 - 18th Ave SW

Other Meetings and Events

Drinking Liberally in Seattle Tuesday, September 1, 6:00 p.m. Pizzeria 22, 4213 SW College St.

Evergreen Democratic Club Tuesday, September 8, 11:00 a.m. Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 601 SW 153rd West Seattle Meaningful Movie West Seattle Democratic Women “Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?” Evening Meeting in September Check their website for details Saturday, September 5, 2015 Drinking Liberally in Burien Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for snacks Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 p.m. and social time; the film begins at Mark Restaurant, 918 SW 52nd in Old 7:00 p.m. followed by discussion. Burien Heist Who Stole the American Dream ? reveals Metropolitan Democratic Club how American corporations orchestrated the 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., 2nd and 4th dismantling of middle-class prosperity through Wednesdays rampant deregulation, the outsourcing of jobs, Plaza 600 Building 6th and Stewart, Site and tax policies favoring businesses and the wealthy. The collapse of the U.S. economy is the 208 result of conscious choices made over thirty-five years by a small group: leaders of corporations King County Democrats and their elected allies, and the biggest lobbying Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. interest in Washington, the U.S. Chamber of Renton Carpenters Hall, 231 Burnett Ave N Commerce. To these individuals, the collapse is not a catastrophe, but rather the planned outcome of their long, patient work. For the rest Our Volunteer Day at the White Center Food of the country, it is merely the biggest heist in Bank, September 23, 7:00 p.m. American history. -4- Contact Information and Another Environmental Award for Committee Assignments Our State Representative for Our Legislators Just a couple of months ago, Joe Fitzgibbon was recognized by Futurewise for his work. This time he has Senator been recognized by Washington Conservation Voters for his leadership on environmental issues by awarding him Sharon Nelson with their highest honor: 2015 Legislator of the Year. Senate Democratic Leader Rules “This year he brought together a range of groups from 316 Legislative Building social justice to business groups to shape the Carbon PO Box 40434 Pollution Accountability Act. The Act, if passed, would Olympia, WA 98504 have curbed carbon emissions in a thoughtful, just and (360) 786 - 7667 equitable manner.

Representative Additionally, he worked on oil transportation safety, Eileen Cody making sure our communities and our waterways are prepared and protected from the oil that is transported Chair, Health and Wellness in Washington. He also continued his work to keep toxic Appropriations chemicals out of our homes and our waterways. 303 John L. O'Brien

Building The environmental gains made over the past decades, PO Box 40600 including I-937, the Clean Energy Initiative, are under Olympia, WA 98504 near constant threat. Representative Fitzgibbon excels (360) 786 - 7978 at the often overlooked task of protecting the existing

laws and regulations that are already in place to clean Representative up and protect our environment. Joe Fitzgibbon Chair, Environment Joe is arguably more willing to take political risks to Finance tackle global warming pollution than any other member 305 John L. O'Brien Building of the Legislature. He is the institution’s fiercest fighter PO Box 40600 when it comes to battling the fossil fuel industry in Olympia, WA 98504 order to protect our environment.,” WCV State Lobbyist (360) 786 - 7952 Clifford Traisman said in his release.”

Congratulations, Joe, Again!

Letters and Submitted Articles

We are Democrats, and like most Democrats we have strong opinions and like to express them. We welcome letters and articles. .

All submissions are subject to editing. If submissions need to be shortened, you will be given the option of editing your own work.

Photos and notices of upcoming events are always welcome.

The deadline for the. October. newsletter is. . .. Mail to Jackie Dupras, 1920 46th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 or [email protected]. Phone: 935-9683.

-5- Candidates who will be on Report from the August Meeting of the November Ballot the King County Democrats Minutes and agenda were approved. Tim Burns, chair of the 30 th LD, thanked KCDCC for the canvass on behalf of Those candidates we have already . Andrew Villeneuve reported on the No on endorsed are marked with an asterisk. 1366 campaign, which is being fought in court on the grounds that the using the initiative process to amend the King County Director of Elections state constitution is unconstitutional. Also, we are still preparing for the possibility that the initiative might be on Zach Hudgins* and Julie Wise the ballot. The King County Council passed (8 to 1 vote) the Best Starts for Kids Levy. Its purpose is early King County Assessor intervention to keep kids from getting involved in the Lloyd Hara* and John Arthur Wilson justice system, thus saving a lot of money in the future.

Zack Hudgins reported on his campaign for King County Port of Seattle Position 2 Elections Director. He is disappointed that the turnout Courtney Gregoire and Goodspaceguy was only 25%, and concerned that King County doesn’t count 2% of its submitted ballots, compared to less than 1% for Pierce and Snohomish. If the legislature is not Port of Seattle Position 5 called back into session, he will not be limited to three Fred Felleman and Marion Yoshino days of fundraising before ballot drop, as was the case in the primary.

Seattle School Board District 3 Janelle Okorogu gave a presentation about the Center for Jill Geary and Lauren McGuire Multicultural Health. They have 17 staff members who do medical translations, work on refugee health issues and outreach to teen mothers. For more information see Seattle School Board District 6 www.multi-culturalhealth.org Leslie Harris* and Marty McLaren Seattle City Council Member Tim Burgess reported on the pre-K initiative, which will start having classes this fall. Seattle City Council District 1 He anticipates a vote on the HALA (housing issues) Lisa Herbold** and Shannon Braddock**** recommendation for developers’ fees next month. The council also passed a gun safety tax on guns and ammunition sold in Seattle. Seattle City Council District 8 Tim Burgess* and Jon Grant* The chair expressed his regret over insensitive racial remarks made during recent endorsement processes, Seattle City Council District 9 and Sonya Vukov from the 41 st LD read a formal apology.

Lorena Gonzalez* and Bill Bradburd* The following endorsements were approved.

Burien City Council Position 1 Michael Maddux for Seattle City Council District 4 Hira Singh Bullar for Kent City Council Position 1 Bob Edgar and Holli Giffin Jeff Sanderson for Mercer Island City Council Position 4 David Cogan for Northshore School District Position 3 Burien City Council Position 4 Holli Giffin for Burien City Council Position 2 Lucy Krakowiak and Jon Scherer Christopher Reh for Issaquah City Council Position 6 Sheree Wen for Medina City Council Position 6 David Storaasli for Pacific City Council Position 6 Burien City Council Position 6 Steve Fields for Mayor of Redmond Austin Bell* Darla Green Resolutions on protecting pollinators from herbicides and censuring Democratic representatives who voted to fast- Southwest Suburban Sewer District track the Trans Pacific Partnership were passed. Bylaws Susan Genzale* Derek Doell affirming the KCDCC Committee on disAbilities were passed.

Submitted by Martha Koester and Steve Butts

-6-

Bernie Sanders in Seattle (My own Opinion) I think for many of us, this was the first time that we became a part of a story that hit the national press.

The event was not a Bernie Sanders for President event, but was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Social Security and the 75th of Medicare. Bernie Sanders has been very supportive of both Social Security and Medicare, and had introduced a bill just this year to expand Social Security. He was invited to this event because of his support of these programs, not because he was a presidential candidate, but his candidacy was obviously the reason for the huge crowd.

So, most of the crowd was not at all pleased when the members of a Black Lives Matter group took the microphone from Bernie. People had been waiting for a long time to hear what he had to say and were a bit disappointed to say the least when it became obvious that we weren’t going to be hearing him speak, and they didn’t like seeing the person they’d like to see be our next president being treated with little respect. But some people shouted stupid things that were hurtful, racist or just plain stupid. That shouldn’t have happened, there’s no excuse for it. But we still weren’t able to hear what Bernie had to say. Most us don’t blame Black Lives Matter and still support them and their cause. Too many young black men have been killed by the police, no question. But we would have been a lot happier if this particular group had taken out their legitimate grievances on someone more worthy of their wrath than Bernie Sanders. Jackie Dupras -7- Photos by Ed Dupras

Newsletter Editor 1920 46th Ave SW Seattle WA 98116

Return Service Requested

Join the 34th District Democrats! Sign up by filling out this form and mailing it with a check made payable to the 34th District Democrats, to Membership, 34th District Democrats, 6523 California Ave SW, Box 183, Seattle, WA 98136-1879

Name:______Phone ______

Address______Zip ______

If you use a P.O. Box, do you live in the 34th District? Yes______No______

Email: ______* Occupation ______

*Employer ______* Employer City ______

* Required by Washington State Public Disclosure Commission/ Contributions are not tax deductible.

$34 is the actual cost per member of running the organization. "If interested in paying your dues in monthly installments, contact the treasurer for more info."

$15 Basic Dues $3 Living Lightly $34 Friend of the 34th $50 Sponsor

$100 Benefactor $250 Sustaining $500 Underwriter $1,000 Endowment

In the interest of protecting our environment and building funds to support endorsed candidates, the 34th District Democrats wish to communicate electronically Please check this box if you do not have access to electronic communications and need to receive a mailed newsletter