Somerset County Republican Committee Meeting Calendar and Minutes


January 27, 2011 Somerset County Republican Committee Minutes (download a .pdf version)

Senator Whittemore gave the invocation. Pledge of Allegiance said.

Introduction given of our elected officials present at the meeting: Senator Whittemore, Senator Thomas, Rep. Picchiotti, Rep. Dunphy, Chuck Mahaleris, the State Committee Secretary and rep. for Collins’ office was also present.

Secretary’s report read and accepted. Treasurer’s report read and accepted.

Chairman’s remarks were given. Dena gave her new email that she would like people to start using, Chairman@somersetcountygopme.org. A reminder was given to give donations for using the church budding, and also to sign the attendance sheet.

Election Analysis was given. Doug thanked us because he won Somerset County by 73%. Larry recognized the Laney’s hard work, and reminded us to still be involved by writing letters to the Editor, etc., in support of our new governor and representatives. John echoed Larry’s encouragement to stay engaged. He said how that they are starting to get a lot of letters and attacks about hurting the environment and women’s issues. Rod also thanked the Laney’s. He saw that there was a great grassroots movement and we need to keep people involved. Larry also mentioned that the Democrats have two new leaders who are starting to work up the unions, scaring them into action. The Democrats are making to come out en masse next election. Rod also talked about how former Attorney General, Janet Mills, had said that it would cost the State of Maine about $400,000 to repeal ObamaCare, but it actually will take very little cost to do so.

This year’s SCRC plans are to work with all current active town committees to build their membership/ attendance. Help towns to start up town committees. A schedule will be set up to visit each town this year. Skowhegan’s town committee was met with earlier this month. Madison and Pittsfield will be met with during the month of Feb. In March the plan is to build up Fairfield and Palmyra. Town chairs were asked to stay after the meeting to further discuss these plans. It was asked to have regional meetings to include several towns at one meeting.

Fundraising efforts are needed to help with the cost of future elections.

Subcommittees will be formed and volunteers will be needed for these committees: Municipal Organization, Recruitment of Candidates, Finance/Fundraising, and Public Relations.

Some people did not receive the email notice for the meeting. Chuck asked if there was anyone present who did not receive the email notice who did not want the meeting to go forward because of the presentation of the new bylaws. No one spoke up so the meeting continued. Rod suggested that we send out post card notifications for these types of meetings, but it was mentioned that it would cost a lot to do this. Dawn mentioned that posting these meetings through email, Facebook, and web site would keep costs down.

Art. I— discussed to add Maine t0 SCRC title, but no changes made
Art. II — no discussion.
Art. Ill —Sec. 3 Chuck explained formulator town membership quotas. Bob Turnbull thought on Sec 2, second sentence should be altered. Vote was taken and it passed to keep the sentence as is. Concerns about Sec. 6 were made by Elaine Aloes, Joel Stetkis, Kay Laney, and others. Gail Watson mentioned how hard it is to find proxies from the towns. Brian Hale expressed concern about how to hold people accountable if they continually miss the meetings and suggested to allow more than 3 misses, perhaps 5 or 6. Dena asked for Chuck’s input. He said how C would create a lot of work for the secretary and we want to encourage people to be involved. Wanda L. mentioned that people miss meetings for various reasons, but are still Interested — what goes on. Mike Bolduc pointed out that it is the town’s job to keep these seats filled. Joel motioned to strike Sec. 6 and Dana Berry seconded It. Vote taken and Sec. 6 was struck. Sec. 7, Elaine also expressed concerns via email about this section. Wanda motioned to strike Sec. 7 and amend it later, Motioned passed. Lucy suggested that we keep the last line of Sec. 7 as is. Joel motioned and Rod seconded. Vote passed. Sec. 8— Hiram thought people should be able to support anyone regardless of party affiliation. Mr. Ames thought we should show unity and that supporting a candidate in another party would show division. Much discussion was made. We have the opportunity to support our choice of candidate in the primary, but then should back the winner of the party candidate. Public support for a candidate in another party should not be given. Some felt that this Sec. opposed freedom of speech. Chuck mentioned the controversy bylaw in the State Committee. Joel brought up the point that a person supporting another party’s candidate could potentially give that candidate vital campaign Information that could damage the campaign of our candidate. Ex.: allowing another team’s player into your locker room at half-time. John asked to move the question. Discussion continued. Brain talked of how we are a team and then mentioned his own personal experience of SCRC members publicly supporting his opponent. The point was made that ii is fine to vote for who you want in the voting booth, but just don’t publicly support the opposing candidate while still remaining a member of the SCRC. Dena moved the question to a vote. Vote carried to keep Sec. 8 as is.

Art. IV Sec. 1—6, no discussion. Sec. 7, Dena motioned and Robin seconded to add “email or” and it passed.

Joel asked that we finish the page we were on and then table the rest of the bylaws for the next meeting. Rod motioned and Mike seconded that we table the rest of the bylaws and not go back over the previous articles when we met again. Vote passed.

Fundraising—we need Ideas for events each month, except Nov., and the ideas can be mailed or emailed to the Executive Committee. Shane has an idea for the next gun raffle. He would like an American made rifle and is looking into a Henry lever-action.

Legislative update was given.

Dena needs agenda items given to her at least an hour before the meeting.

Meeting closed with the singing of God Bless America.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Minutes of previous meetings (in Adobe.pdf format and available for download)

2010 minutes