Carroll County Democratic Central Committee Meeting Minutes

January 17th, 2013


Committee members in attendance Jason Officer, Neil Ridgely,
Don West, Corynne Courpas, Dorothy Scanlon, Jackie Jones,
Mary Ellis, Jim Gregory, Anita Riley, Dane Menges and Jackie
Schrenker-Case.

Other attendees Scott Markle, Andrea White, Lowell Jones,
Christian Ready and John Witiak.

Meeting was held in the Large Meeting Room of the
Westminster Branch of the CCPL and was called to order by
Jackie Jones, Chair, at 7:02 pm.

Chair's Report none

Secretary's Report November's minutes were sent to CCDCC
members via e-mail.  A motion to approve minutes was made by
Jason O., 2nd by  Anita R., vote unanimous.

Treasurer's Report Treasurer's report was sent out via
e-mail to the members and showed a current balance of
$3,922.85.  Motion to approve report by Don W., 2nd by Jim
G., vote unanimous.

Anita R. reported that deposits have been paid for the
Breakfast ($200.00 to Best Western) and the JJ dinner
($2000.00 to Martin's Westminster).

There was a discussion about whether the CCDCC should accept
credit card payments and donations in the future.  Corynne
C. had a conversation with Marty Radinsky, former CCDCC
Chair and our current banker, about the previous Central
Committee's experience with accepting credit cards.  He said
that the volume of use did not justify the fees that were
charged.  According to Corynne, third party payers like
PayPal are not acceptable to the State Party.  Jim G.
suggested that once the website was up and going that credit
card capabilities might be justified.  The hope is that, by
accepting credit cards, 'new' donations will be encouraged,
not just as a convenience to current supporters.  Jason O.
said that the MD State Party and the Obama campaign and
other candidates use Act Blue, a third party payer for
Democrats only.  Jason promised he would report on this
program at the February meeting.  Corynne asked that she see
what she would actually receive with each transaction,
because if it doesn't include employer and occupation, it
will not meet current reporting requirements.  Dane M. felt
a detailed cost/benefit analysis would be most beneficial.


Club Reports The South Carroll Democratic Club  had its
Christmas Party in December , and they will meet next in
March.

Scott M. reported that CC Dems  held their first meeting at
Johansson's in January and Dane M. , Jason and Christian
spoke about OFC.  Their next meeting will be on Monday,
February 4th at Johnasson's starting at 7pm (dinner at 6pm).
 The speaker will be Nicky Ratliff from the Carroll County
Humane Society.

Committee Reports Neil R. reported on Local Politics,
including 'progress' on Charter Government, the likely
adoption of the 'English Only' ordinance, possible new
administrative assistant for Commissioner Robin Frazier,
ongoing Ethics ordinance debate, Commissioners' expenses and
mileage, Attorney General's ruling on redacting e-mail
addresses on communications, revising the State's Open
Meetings rules, the Finksburg Plan, the Liberty Pact, State
of the County presentation, and development at the Warfield
Complex.  Corynne C. mentioned that Jerry Barnes, our local
State's Attorney , has not successful prosecuted one 1st
degree murder case in his previous 13 attempts.  There is a
consensus that he could be vulnerable in his next election
in 2014, as well as the current Sheriff.

There were no Communication, Fundraising, or
Grassroots/Outreach reports.

Old Business Our CCDCC Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday,
March 16th, starting at 9 am at  the Best Western Conference
Center in Westminster.  Anita R. has contacted Mark Shriver
again to be speaker, but she has not received any
confirmation yet.  She said she would make other contacts as
needed - Congressman Chris Van Hollen, State Delegate
Heather Mizeur, Judge Brian Green and Maryland Democratic
Party Chair Yvette Lewis were mentioned as possible
alternates.  Scott M. agreed that the CC Dems would do a
50/50 raffle at the Breakfast.  The Breakfast will cost
$40/person this year.

For the JJ Dinner, tickets will be $75/person, and there
will be no separate VIP fee again this year.  The speaker
will be Joe Trippi, a long-time Democratic campaign worker
and consultant, including for campaigns with Howard Dean,
Jerry Brown and many others, as well as a commentator on Fox
News.  We will pay $3500 for his services.  We will all need
to sell ads for the program.  There was some concern
expressed about whether Mr. Trippi is known well enough to
sell tickets for the Dinner in Carroll County.  Dorothy S.
will send out a 'Save the Date' announcement to interested
parties.  South Carroll Democratic Club will again sponsor
the Silent Auction and Neil R. and Dorothy S. will organize
the Auction.  CC Dems will sponsor the 50/50 raffle.  The
group would like the Jazz Band to return.  Mary E. was going
to check about her Chamber group returning also.

Don W. asked for the detailed OFA report on our headquarters
operation to be presented at the February CCDCC meeting. New
Business Jackie initiated a discussion about including
additional committees, including Ways and Means.  These
committees would be led by CCDCC members, but the individual
members could come from our volunteers.  Fundraising and
Outreach seem to be our greatest need.  Hopefully OFC could
provide these folks to help out.

The local NAACP will be hosting its Breakfast on February
2nd at Martin's Westminster.  Tickets are $30.

There was a discussion about the upcoming local elections
and identifying candidates.

A celebration will be hosted by Scott and Corynne, at their
home, on Inauguration Day, January 21st.

Don W. asked that we consider which of the summer fireman's
carnivals we are interested in attending this year.

Announcements The next regular meeting for the CCDCC will be
Thursday, February 17th, 2013, starting at 7 pm, in the
Large Meeting Room of the Westminster Branch of the CCPL. We
 will have Michele Johnson and (hopefully) Hugh McLaurin
attending that evening to discuss their experience as
candidates in 2010 for CC Commissioner.


Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Don West, Recording Secretary CCDCC