Category Archives: News
SHAWANO COUNTY DEMS: July, 2021 Newsletter
MARCH AND RALLY
On Saturday, July 17th the Shawano Fairness Coalition will be having a march from Franklin Park to the Shawano County Courthouse. Participants can gather at 1:00 pm, sign petitions for fair (non-gerrymandered) voting maps and higher wages in Shawano County and pick up a sign. The group will then walk to the rally at the courthouse where former assembly woman Penny Bernard Schafer will be speaking about redistricting reform and how it is needed if we are to have any progress in making our state more progressive. Join them!
JULY 21 HYBRID MEETING
One of the six United States Senate candidates will be on Zoom with us at our July meeting. State Senator Chris Larson is from the Milwaukee area. He has been a champion for many progressive issues that we care about. The in-person meeting begins at 7:00 pm at the Shawano Civic Center or you can view on Zoom. The link will be sent out prior to the meeting.
SUMMER PICNIC
The Shawano Dems will be having a picnic on August 19th at Kuckuk Park in Shawano from 5:00-7:00 pm. U.S.Senate candidates Alex Lasry and Gillian Battino have tentatively agreed to attend. We will have pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, beans and dessert. No need to bring anything. At the picnic we will be a thanking our many volunteers who helped during the past year. Plan to attend.
JULY LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Governor Evers has signed the 2021-2023 budget. It increased funding for education beyond what the Republicans wanted to spend. Using his constitutional authority, he was able to ensure Wisconsin gets the American Rescue Plan money by adding $100 million in new federal money for schools. He also restored the state’s two-thirds funding to school districts by providing roughly $685 million in school aids. Now there will be more money for students with disabilities and mental health services.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 21: 7:00 pm Dems’ meeting at the Shawano Civic Center and on Zoom
August 19: Picnic at Kuckuk Park 5-7 pm
Oct. 2: Fundraising Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course
Chair’s Comments
In August and September, we will be calling on our volunteers to help us reach out to voters. During the weekends of August 21 and 28 we can begin to knock doors and engage in face-to-face conversations. This year we will go back to having a booth at the Shawano County Fair. We will need volunteers to work 2-3 hours shifts each of days from September 2nd through 6th
You can sign up to work at the fair at our July 21st meeting or at the August 19th picnic. If you can’t make either of those events, please call me at the number listed below or email me at shawanodems2@gmail.com if you’d like to sign up. Those working at the fair will get a free pass which includes parking.
Our fall fundraising dinner is being held on October 2nd. We will have raffle baskets. If you have any items that you would like to donate for the bucket raffles, please bring them to one of our events. Any grey donkey item (something you have that is in good condition but is taking up space) is fine too. Reservation information will be sent out next month. Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive and candidate for U.S. Senate, will be speaking.
We will also be having a quilt raffle. You can purchase tickets at the picnic, the fair booth or the fall dinner. The ticket will be drawn at the dinner.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin Endorses Jill Underly for State Superintendent
The Spring Primary made one thing clear: there is one true progressive public schools champion in the race for State Superintendent, and that’s Dr. Jill Underly. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is proud to endorse her campaign to become our next Superintendent at the Department of Public Instruction, a job once held by our own Governor Tony Evers.
Dr. Underly has more than two decades of public education experience, and has served kids pre-kindergarten through college, as a teacher, a principal, a mentor, and a district superintendent.
Sign up to get involved in Jill Underly’s campaign at: https://underlyforwi.com/join-the-team/.
U.S. SENATOR BALDWIN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND MAKE OUR ECONOMY WORK FOR EVERYONE
Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act will help build a fairer, more inclusive economy
Legislation addresses growing income inequality by strengthening federal laws that protect workers’ right to join a union and negotiate for higher wages and better benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), joined Democrats in the Senate and House to introduce the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, comprehensive labor legislation to protect workers’ right to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.
“In Wisconsin and across the country we have seen powerful, corporate special interests, and the politicians that they fund, attack workers’ rights and undermine our labor laws. The result has been a shrinking middle class, rising income inequality, and more economic insecurity for working families,” said Senator Baldwin. “This legislation takes bold action to respect and reward the hard work of the men and women in labor by protecting and strengthening workers’ rights. The PRO Act takes a stand for workers so they can stand together for fair pay, a safe workplace, quality health care, and the dignity of a secure retirement they worked hard to earn.”
Click Here to read more.
EARLY VOTING FOR SPRING PRIMARY
Absentee ballots have already gone out for those who have requested ballots. If you haven’t received yours, contact your municipal clerk. In person voting begins on Tuesday, February 2nd. Contact your clerk for times.
Election Day is Tuesday, February 16th.
Those residing in the Shawano School District are encouraged to vote for fellow Shawano Dem member Robin Raber Bergeron for school board. Go to our website at https://shawanocountydems.com and scroll down to see a list of candidates and * by those that are recommended.
Shawano Democrats January Zoom Meeting Reminder
January 20th
6:00 pm
Meet candidates for WI Superintendent of Public Instruction Shelia Briggs and Jill Underly.
Click on the link below or dial the phone number to be admitted to the meeting. You will need to download Zoom.com if you have never used Zoom. Please be ready to start the meeting promptly at 6:00 pm. Let us know if you are having trouble getting on.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97768620489?pwd=MVJpWWptNHJXRnFGMUl2ajZFa25TZz09
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Primary Elections Are Coming Soon
Before you know it we will be involved in another campaign season. There will be primaries on February 16th for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the District 3 Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Even though these are nonpartisan positions, it is important that we have the right people elected.
At our January 20th Zoom meeting we will have two of the seven candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Jill Underly is a member of the Iowa County Democratic Party. Her website is www.underlyforwi.com.
Shelia Briggs website is https://www.briggsforkids.com/. She is the current Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Go to their websites to learn about them and download their nomination papers. Each of them would like help in getting signatures. You can only sign one of the candidate’s nomination papers. Signing does not commit you to vote for them.
Aaron Loudenslager, an Attorney from Antigo, is one of three candidates for the Court of Appeals. His website is https://loudenslagerforwisconsincourtofappeals.com/. If you want to learn about his views you can read this: recent press release. You can sign his nomination papers by clicking here: LoudenslagerNominationPaper.pdf.
In the spring elections we will also elect local municipal representatives including school board members. If you are interested in running for office, you need to contact the Shawano County Clerk or go on-line and get nomination papers. Contact your school district’s main office for school board positions. Filing deadline is January 5th.
Let me know if you have any questions. There are excellent no-cost on-line trainings that you are welcome to attend.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Jan Koch, Chair
Democratic Party of Shawano County
715-296-6726 (cell)
WISCONSIN RECOUNT
There is a possiblity that there will be a ballot recount. If it happens, it will start as early as Saturday, November 21st and run to December 3rd (we expect all counties to adjourn for Thanksgiving Day). The recount occurs simultaneously in 72 counties, so we need a lot of help to support this effort. We know if they count all the votes again, our win will be reaffirmed.
The Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign is offering several online training opportunities over the next few days to give interested folks an understanding of the commitment and how we can safely help observe the recount. You can sign up here to join.
After this first training, anyone who is still interested in helping will fill out an interest form to learn more about the next steps. While a recount may or may not happen, we won this election by a clear and decisive margin, and a recount will only reaffirm this victory.
If you know of someone else who might be interested, please let them know. PPE masks, shields and hand sanitizer will be available and social distancing will be observed.
Amanda Stuck and Mike Gallagher Debate
OCTOBER 26TH DEBATE Eighth Congressional District Candidates Amanda Stuck and Mike Gallagher will have their first and only prime time television debate on October 26th from 9:00-10:00 pm on Channel 5. Amanda has run a great campaign but she needs this exposure to show everyone what a worthy candidate she is. Pass the word.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Contact Carrie at 715-584-8249 if you can help with any of the following or would like to order any of the Biden gear listed below.
Tuesday, Oct. 6: We will be putting together literature bags with lit for Biden, Stuck and Sarnwick starting at 1:00 pm. We will socially distance in the rooms at our office or you can take lit and bags home to work on them.
Wednesday Oct. 7: We will have a lit drop on doors in Shawano starting at 12:30 pm at the office. Drivers are also needed.
Saturday Oct. 10: Continuation of lit drop in Shawano starting at 10:00 am.
Phoning banking can be done any day. We are in Get-Out-The-Vote mode. Contact Justin at 920-931-2654 or email at jr8703@gmail.com.
FINAL ORDERS FOR BIDEN GEAR
Biden/Harris flags $10 donation
Car flags with pole $12 donation
6′ and 8′ yard banners $20 donation
Ball caps $10 donation
Car flags with pole $12 donation
6′ and 8′ yard banners $20 donation
Ball caps $10 donation
Contact Carrie at 715-584-8249 by Wednesday, Oct. 7 to place your order.
Be safe and encourage others to do the same.