Mike Nickerson
The SaddleBrooke Democrats met for their first in-person monthly meeting at the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center on Sept. 14. Even though we all wore masks, it was great to see each other again in person. This was a hybrid meeting, so some members still joined us via Zoom.
Eric Cadel, Pinal County first vice-chair for the Democratic party, introduced himself and spoke a few minutes about the need for more precinct committee people. These people are vital in our effort to involve people at a local level.
Next, Charlie Kemp and Lauren Burson spoke about the 15/30 Project. They serve as the direct contact persons and organizers for the Democratic Party in Pinal and Pima County. They spoke a short time about redistricting and next month will be our major speakers after the redistricting maps have been made public.
Then, Laura Terech spoke via Zoom on Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, which is a non-partisan group that seeks to get individuals involved in local and state politics. One of their main efforts is the Request to Speak program, which allows any Arizona citizen to send messages to our legislature concerning bills that are being considered. She also emphasized the importance of the upcoming Rural Summit, on Zoom, and urged us to attend on Sept. 18.
Our social chair, Rosalie Forges, spoke about the upcoming SaddleBrooke Democratic Club gala coming up on Jan. 30, 2022, in the MountainView Ballroom at SaddleBrooke TWO. The cost is $65 per person. Frank Figliuzzi, former assistant director for counterintelligence at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will be the guest speaker. He has written a book entitled, The FBI Way and often appears on NBC news.
Six petitions were available for signatures concerning referendums on voter suppression, education funding, and tax breaks for the wealthy. There was also an initiative petition to make a law called the Voters Right to Know. It aims to get rid of dark money in Arizona campaigns.
The meeting ended at 4:15 p.m., allowing for a little social time for us to get reconnected.
All are invited, so please feel free to join us at the SaddleBrooke Activities Center on Oct.12 at 3:30 p.m.