McCormick County Democratic Party meeting March 1, 2022
• Meeting called to order by Chairman Harrison at 5:30 • Invocation by Ann Marie Smith-Nash
Democratic Women Report by Joan Stockton 1) We began with a report by ByronThompson on the work of Mary Thompson, JoAnn Ritchie and Roseanne Napier-Riddick. They met with the athletic director of the high school, Rico Salliewhite, to discuss how they might help the student athletes who have no time between end of school day and the athletic event to eat dinner. 2) Redistricting 3) County Convention
• Report of committee researching supplying food to student athletes when they are not able to get home between school and an athletic event — Mary Thompson Still working towards how best to accomplish this. Possible ideas: a meal for all student athletes at beginning of season in the fall. Chairman Harrison suggested meeting with coaches to determine what they would prefer. Chairman Harrison checked with Trav Robertson, and there is no problem using party funds to pay for this project
• REDISTRICTING Chairman Harrison reported that the county council meeting to decide which map would set up the districts for the next 10 years was a "clown show." Those who attended agreed that the behavior of some members in the audience was unsettling. Mike and Renee Finney wrote a letter to the Index Journal expressing their dismay at this behavior complaining about signs found on their chairs when they arrived: "What would George Wallace do?" "Map 2 is racist." "Democrats dividing the country since 1864."
Map 3 was chosen by a 3-2 vote of the council: Jennings, Banks and Brown with Cook and Hamby voting no.
Councilwoman Jackie Brown explained the redistricting economics that led to her vote as well as the church organizations that worked well together, and the voting age population.
County Council Chair Charles Jennings: "We can conquer anything we want to if we stick together."
• County Convention The SCDP sent materials directing the county party to choose between-person or zoom meeting this year. We chose to meet in person.After explanation that the purpose of the county convention is to choose party leadership for the next two years, Chairman Harrison explained that the choice of leadership for the precincts can be at any date the precincts decide.
After discussion, it was moved by Paula Goldman that both the precinct meetings and the county convention would be held in person at the Mims Foundation (the old high school) on Saturday, March 26, at 10 AM. Roseanne Napier-Riddick seconded the motion. At that time the precincts will meet and choose their leaders. At 11 AM, the party will meet to choose leadership for the next two years.
Chairman Harrison will contact Barb Sibert regarding the use of the Mims Foundation building for this purpose. Part of the discussion led to the identification of the current precinct presidents:
1 Mt. Carmel — Arthur Banks—001 2 Willington — Don Moss — 004 3 McCormick #1 — Ricky Chiles — 006 4 McCormick #2 —Roseanne Napier-Riddick will chair mtg — 009 5 Savannah — Marion Farina – 003 6 Monticello - Jerry Goldman — 002 7 Bethany — Jackie Brown will work to find someone — 008 8 Plum Branch — Claude Cartledge — 010 9 Parksville — Charles Jennings will call — 013 10 Modoc — 014 11 Clarks Hill — Delmonica Gardenshire? — 015
Jackie Brown offered to use her subscription to VoteBuilder to identify the Democratic voters in each precinct. She also indicated she could use a robo-call message for each precinct member.
Carol Williams volunteered to use her access to VoteBuilder to send the file for each precinct's Democratic voters to the name indicated above. This can aid the organizer to identify leaders in his/her precinct to assume leadership.
The secretary will forward this information via email to each of the individuals indicated above.
Ann Marie Smith-Nash suggested we ought to develop a nominating committee to provide names of possible leaders.
Watch for an email that will be sent to each member from Marion Farina detailing the choices to be made at the county convention and the duties of the various offices.
NEXT MEETING WILL BE AT THE COUNTY CONVENTION, MARCH 26. NEXT PARTY MEETING WILL BE APRIL 5.
Respectfully submitted, Joan Stockton Secretary
