Previous Events

Calaveras Democrats Marched in the Irish Days Parade Murphys - March 15, 2008 Click on image to see larger picture.

Getting ready for the parade. Marching on Main Street in Murphys.

Pictures from Healthcare Forum
SiCKO Screenings
(Click on picture to see larger image.)

Build a Better Future for Calaveras County
Laying the foundation for Democrats to make history this election season

Calaveras County Democrats are setting a 5 District strategy to elect Democrats to local, state and national offices in November. We began with a kick off April 27th, which generated awesome financial, organizational and moral support. Guest comments ranged from “Thanks for bringing us together” to “It was great to network with local and regional leaders”.

Please join with Democrats making history across Calaveras County, California and our nation through volunteer time, a financial contribution or whatever you would like to do to elect Democrats. Click here to make a contribution. Let the election season begin!

Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Over 100 Democrats and even several non-Democrats attended the Build a Better Future for Calaveras County fundraiser last Sunday, April 27^th at the Native Sons Hall in Murphys, marking the first opportunity for county residents to join with Democrats from all over California making history this election season.

Truly successful events such as this happen when team members generously contribute their precious time and skills, and for that we are blessed. A big thank you to Tami Chesnut, our awesome event leader and dinner chair. Committee members providing assistance to Tami include Mary Boblet, Pat Guttmann, Chris McBrian, Marilyn Pinnow, Mary Salegui and Sharon Romano.

Special thanks to Mary Matzek, Margaret Copenhaver, Tillman Sherman, Jan Du Raine, Bill Paulsen, Sally Paulsen, Teddie Jackson, Joe Jackson, Melva Anderson, Robin Chesnut, Gail Bunge and Brett Bunge for helping to set up, greet and register guests, and tidy up at evening’s end. 

We also want to thank and acknowledge Firewood Restaurant of Murphys. Firewood cooked a scrumptious Mexican feast and served it buffet-style, inviting guests to keep with the evening’s theme of building their own tacos. Guests were also encouraged to build ice cream sundae desserts.

Thank you to Klassen Wines and Importers of Murphys for donating wine to the raffle.

 Tami Chesnut won the $500 cash raffle prize. Tami would like to return $250 in the form of a Bret Harte High School student scholarship. Way to go Tami! Karen Niehaus won both wine raffle prizes. Thank you Mary Salegui (photo at right) for advertising our raffle so artistically. We sold 175 raffle tickets!

 Mary Boblet performed emcee duties, marking her first experience with this responsibility. Among other things, she announced dignitaries and candidates in the audience, and there were quite a few from around the community, county and region! A list of candidates and dignitaries follows.

Guest Speakers 

Patricia Guttmann
Chair, Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee

Pat Guttmann welcomed everyone to our first Build a Better Future for Calaveras County spring fundraiser saying, "It is so exciting and so gratifying to see all the Calaveras Democrats here this evening and the presence of local, regional and national candidates or their representatives here also...It is also gratifying to have in this room leaders of the California State Democratic party and our State Democratic party regional leaders.  Together we make an awesome group."

Pat said, "This is a defining moment in history. There are so many issues at stake.  Will we continue to squander our precious limited resources on an endless war or will we use those resources to solve our economic crisis, poverty, health care, education, Social Security and so on.  Our representatives in Congress and the President will be dealing with those issues as well as global issues like the earth warming and the oceans rising."

 She continued, "On the local level daunting issues are also present.  Our county is facing huge economic challenges as a result of the national economic downturn.  There will be decisions made at the local level about a new County General Plan that will impact our county for decades to come..."

 Pat said, "the time is here and now to get involved.  We are organizing a grass roots effort to elect Democrats.  Calaveras residents have a real sense of community values and self-reliance.  Let’s use our community values of self-reliance to work together to build a better future for Calaveras County."

 She continued, "We are going to galvanize all the voters who didn't know what to do until now and give them an opportunity to let their voices be heard." 

 In conclusion Pat said, "We are truly blessed to have the guidance and input from the California Democratic Party and Take Back Red California, as well as our regional leaders and our neighbors from Amador, Tuolumne and Stanislaus Counties.  With all this support and input, and with all the talent of our local Democrats, we cannot help but be successful. This is a defining moment in history.  Please join with the members of the Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee, the East Calaveras Democrat Club and the West Calaveras Democratic Club to make a better future for our county."

Taylor White
Candidate for California State Assembly

Taylor White is a fifth generation Californian and a resident of Riverbank, a small farming town in the valley. Taylor is running on a platform focusing on education, the environment, and the economy. Taylor spoke about his dissatisfaction with our Governor’s intention to suspend Proposition 98. He believes higher education is an essential component of a vibrant California and Calaveras County economy. He noted that 70% of the workforce in Calaveras County does not possess a college degree. Taylor is concerned with the growing disparity between income groups and would like to dedicate his candidacy towards shared prosperity.

One of Taylor’s election year strategies is to convince 50% of Republican voters in his assembly district to switch their party and register as Democrats. Let’s join him in this effort. Visit Taylor’s website at www.taylorwhitestateassembly2008.com and make a contribution, volunteer to help, and sign his guest book.

Steve Wilensky
Chairman, Calaveras County Board of Supervisors

Steve Wilensky invited Democrats to show leadership and partnership with other political and community groups to help resolve local, state and national economic and social issues. Steve called on Democrats and non-Democrats alike to practice true democracy at this moment in history and to build social compacts that show our best sides and avoid our worst nightmares.

Steve believes there are two types of people: folks who are trying to make a better world, and folks who aren’t. Building a prosperous Calaveras County, therefore, begins with making room at the table for folks trying to make a better world, and having faith our county government will operate in a true and just way. We must also work hard to avoid the historical divisions of the past. The real division today, Steve described, is that decent, hard working people are being pushed further and further away from a prosperous life, and into one of grinding poverty and neglect.

As the election season begins, Steve suggests politicians stop assuming tactical advantage in the election process. Steve believes it’s not a matter of what is said, but rather how people (at least those who want a better world) act on their convictions that will lead to a fair and just election season.  

Marilyn Sabin
Chief of Staff, Dr. Bill Durston for Congress

Marilyn offered her thanks for supporting Dr. Bill Durston for Congress and reminded everyone that a visit by Cheney this early in the season spells certain doom for the incumbent Dan Lungren given past election year visits Cheney’s made to Pombo’s and Doolittle’s districts. Marilyn offered Bill Durston’s apologies for not making it to the fundraiser due to another campaign commitment, but promised he will return soon to campaign in this generous and supportive county.

Autumn Garamendi Hesser
Daughter of Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi

Autumn offered her father’s apologies for not being able to come to the fundraiser and then shared her personal views on how wonderful it was to see so many active Democrats in the audience. Autumn reminded the audience the Annual Garamendi Basque picnic is on May 17^th from 4-9pm at Touch-the-Earth Ranch in Paloma.

 
Mary Matzek
Chair, East Calaveras Democratic Club

Mary introduced the East Club by announcing a pizza meeting for May 1^st at Pizza Plus in Murphys. She looks forward to socializing with Club members and implementing this season’s election year strategy. Contact Mary at mgmatzek@sbcglobal.net.

Margaret Copenhaver
Chair, West Calaveras Democratic Club

Margaret welcomed residents of the Western Calaveras to join the newly formed West Democratic Club. Margaret is ready to rock and roll! Please call or email Margaret at westclub@calaverasdemocrats.org.

Special Presentation
M.A.C.T. Health Care Board, Inc.

M.A.C.T. Health Care Board, Inc. received special recognition and a donation from the committee. M.A.C.T. is a low-cost health service provider in Calaveras County. The contribution was raised through financial donations made at the Democratic Central Committee's very successful countywide health care forum program. Communities scheduled for future health care forums are Copperopolis, Mokelumne Hill, Angels Camp, Arnold, and Mountain Ranch. More information about M.A.C.T. is available by visiting www.macthealthboard.com. 

County and Regional Dignitaries in Attendance

Merita Calloway, District 3 Supervisor, Calaveras County Board of Supervisors

Paolo Maffei, District 2 Supervisor, Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors

Tillman Sherman, Director, San Andreas Sanitary District

Gary Robbins, Region 7 Director, California State Democratic Party

Colleen Platt, wife of immediate past Chair, Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee, Ron Platt

Vern Miller, former Chair, Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee

Sally Tuttle, former Chair, Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee

Bertha Underhill, former Chair, Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee

Melva Anderson, former President and founder, Calaveras Democratic Club

Janet Maffei, Vice Chair, Tuolumne County Democratic Club

Mike Burtch, Chair, Stanislaus Democratic Central Committee 

Randy Bayne, Chair, Amador County Democratic Central Committee 

four waters, Chair, Take Back Red California

Brent Harrington, former Chief Administrative Officer, Calaveras County

Dick Tuttle, retired Calaveras County District Attorney

Ron Edwards, Director, Political Action Arm California Teachers Association

Charlie Young, District Director, National Education Association

Our labor friends, SEIU Local 1021

Our labor friends, Operating Engineers Local 3

Our nurse friends, California Nurses Association

County and Regional Candidates in Attendance

Taylor White, candidate, California Assembly District 25 and currently President of the Associated Students of Modesto Junior College

Lee Seaton, candidate, District 4 Supervisor and currently Vice Mayor and Council Member, City of Angels

Ron Klass, candidate, District 4 Supervisor 

Tom Tryon, candidate, District 4 Supervisor and currently serving his sixth term as Supervisor

Steve Wilensky, candidate, District 2 Supervisor, currently serving his first term as Supervisor, also Chairman of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors

Steve Castellanos, candidate, San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees