Second Congressional District Meeting
MINUTES
Saturday, October 14, 2023 Via ZOOM
10:00 a.m.
Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Mary Minnick, Chair at 10:04 a.m.
Guest Speakers
Michael Lynch, Candidate for 2nd Congressional District.
Michael talked about talking to anyone no matter their political persuasion. In fact, he enjoyed engaging with Republicans and asking them why they identified as such. They all seemed to not want to share their abundance, especially with the government repaying student loans. Didn’t they realize public universities were supported by tax payers? Visit www.ElectMichaelLynch.com to make a donation.
Mary Minnick, Chair led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In addition, Ed Miller, Mason County, read the Land Acknowledgment Statement.
Roll Call --
Officers -- Mary Minnick, Chair – Present
John Helge, Vice Chair -- Absent
Dallas Dean, Treasurer – Present
Peggy Raddatz, Secretary -- Present
Roll Call (continued)
District Committee Members
Robin Aslakson, Mason County – Absent
Julie Alexander, Mecosta County – Absent
Jennifer Austin, Midland County -- Absent
Jeffery Beegle, Muskegon County -- Absent
Christina Bush, Barry County -- Absent
Jason Colella, Muskegon County -- Absent
Shawn Davis, Ottawa -- Absent
Dallas Dean, Newaygo County -- Present
Mark Everhart, Lake County -- Present
Michael Fields, Gladwin County -- Absent
Christie Freestone, Gratiot County -- Absent
Kim Gates, Kent County -- Absent
John Helge, Manistee County -- Absent
Jerry Hilliard, Mecosta County-- Absent
Justin Johnson, Montcalm County -- Absent
Jennifer Koch-Donovan, Clare County -- Absent
Michael Lynch, Gratiot County -- Present
Ken Mahoney, Muskegon County -- Absent
K.P. Mahoney, Muskegon County -- Absent
Lynn Mason, Ionia County -- Absent
Edward Miller, Mason County -- Present
Mary Minnick, Lake County -- Present
Landon Myers, Eaton County-- Absent
John Pakledinaz, Clare County -- Absent
Peggy Raddatz, Mason County, -- Present
Amanda Siggins, Wexford County – Absent
Lynn Cavazos, Oceana County -- Absent
Mary Temple, Oceana County -- Absent
Mark Thomson, Mecosta County-- Absent
Karen Turnbull, Gratiot County – Present
Sally Wagoner, Newaygo County – Absent
Chadwick Walenga, Newaygo County -- Absent
Cathy Willermet, Isabella County—Absent
County Count
Barry County --0
Clare County -- 0
Eaton County (3/16) --0
Gladwin County --0
Gratiot County -- 1
Ionia County -- 0
Isabella County --0
Kent County (13/24) --0
Lake County --2
Manistee County --1
Mason County --1
Mecosta County --1
Midland County --0
Montcalm County -- 0
Muskegon County (11/18) -- 0
Newaygo County -- 1
Oceana County -- 0
Osceola County -- 0
Ottawa County (1/17) --0
Wexford County -- 0
A Quorum was deemed present.
It was moved by Ed Miller, Mason County and seconded by Michael Lynch, Gratiot County to ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no corrections to the Minutes of the Previous Meeting, the MINUTES WOULD STAND APPROVED.
Chair’s Report
Mary Minnick, Chair stated because of time constraints, her Chair’s Report which can be found on the 2nd Congressional District Website https://www.michigan2nddemocrats.com/.
Vice Chair’s Report
John Helge Vice Chair’s report could also be found on the website.
Treasurer’s Report
Dallas Dean, Treasurer Newaygo County reported the balances of the Federal, State, Administrative, and Texas Hold ‘em Accounts. The State Account had a balance of $2,642.86, the Administration Account had a balance of $227.49, the Federal Account had a balance of $8155.81 and the Texas Hold’em had a balance of $14,825.76. Dallas noted the Wheaton Township Hall contract had been signed and paid for. It was moved by Ed Miller, Mason County and seconded by Michael Lynch, Gratiot County to: ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT AND PAY ALL BILLS. MOTION CARRIED.
Secretary’s Report
Peggy Raddatz, Secretary Manistee County stated she had received no correspondence.
Committee Reports
Rules and Bylaws Committee – Dallas Dean, Newaygo County, Committee Chair stated the November Meeting of the 2nd CD would be the appropriate time to take nominations from the floor for additional members to the 2nd Congressional District Committee.
Finance and Fundraising Committee – Dallas Dean, Newaygo County, Committee Chair recommended the May 2024 Convention be immediately followed by the Ice Cream Social. Then go into the District Committee Meeting. He also recommended the District Committee vote at the November Meeting on having a Blue Wave Gala Dinner in 2024 and whether or not to continue the True Blue Award.
Candidate Recruitment and Support Committee – Ed Miller, Mason County, Committee Chair reported he is meeting locally to recruit candidates, but has nothing additional to report
Political and 2nd CD Party Organizing Committee – Karen Turnbull, Gratiot County, Committee Member spoke of drafting a letter of support to UAW leader Shawn Fain. I addition, Mary Minnick, Chair spoke about Osceola County Party building progress.
Communications Committee – Mary Minnick, Lake County, Committee Chair reported U.S. Senate Candidate, Pamela Pugh will speak at our November 11th in-person meeting at Wheatland Township Hall in Remus, MI. The guest speaker for February 10th, 2024 will be Leslie Love, Candidate for U.S. Senate. She also noted the resignation of Amanda Siggins from the 2nd District Committee. Amanda had resigned due to personal reasons.
Policy and Resolution Committee – There was no report at this time.
Audit Committee – There was no report at this time.
Unfinished Business –
Mary Minnick, Chair, Lake County stated there was no unfinished business.
New Business –
COUNTY CHAIR REPORTS
Mary Minnick, Chair Lake County reminded everyone to check out the 2nd CD website for 2nd District County Chair Reports.
PETITIONS FOR MICHAEL LYNCH
Michael Lynch has his candidate petitions to sign to get him on the ballot, if you
have not signed them yet or need a few blank petitions to have your county party's members sign them, please email or call Michael lynch at cell: 312-823-2105 email: [email protected].
GOOD AND WELFARE –
Ed Miller, Mason County, said he enjoyed the Blue Wave Gala very much. The event was well attended and the speakers were just outstanding. However, other members from Mason County who attended, expressed distress about the organization of the event, the location of the coffee, and the mocking of the elderly by the comedy duo. They also suggested a location more towards the west-end of the District.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment
It was the consensus of the group the meeting be adjourned. Mary Minnick, Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
By Peggy Raddatz
Secretary
2nd Congressional District
If you have any changes or additions, please contact me directly before the meeting to save time at the meeting, [email protected]. Thank you for your cooperation!
MINUTES
Saturday, October 14, 2023 Via ZOOM
10:00 a.m.
Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Mary Minnick, Chair at 10:04 a.m.
Guest Speakers
Michael Lynch, Candidate for 2nd Congressional District.
Michael talked about talking to anyone no matter their political persuasion. In fact, he enjoyed engaging with Republicans and asking them why they identified as such. They all seemed to not want to share their abundance, especially with the government repaying student loans. Didn’t they realize public universities were supported by tax payers? Visit www.ElectMichaelLynch.com to make a donation.
Mary Minnick, Chair led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In addition, Ed Miller, Mason County, read the Land Acknowledgment Statement.
Roll Call --
Officers -- Mary Minnick, Chair – Present
John Helge, Vice Chair -- Absent
Dallas Dean, Treasurer – Present
Peggy Raddatz, Secretary -- Present
Roll Call (continued)
District Committee Members
Robin Aslakson, Mason County – Absent
Julie Alexander, Mecosta County – Absent
Jennifer Austin, Midland County -- Absent
Jeffery Beegle, Muskegon County -- Absent
Christina Bush, Barry County -- Absent
Jason Colella, Muskegon County -- Absent
Shawn Davis, Ottawa -- Absent
Dallas Dean, Newaygo County -- Present
Mark Everhart, Lake County -- Present
Michael Fields, Gladwin County -- Absent
Christie Freestone, Gratiot County -- Absent
Kim Gates, Kent County -- Absent
John Helge, Manistee County -- Absent
Jerry Hilliard, Mecosta County-- Absent
Justin Johnson, Montcalm County -- Absent
Jennifer Koch-Donovan, Clare County -- Absent
Michael Lynch, Gratiot County -- Present
Ken Mahoney, Muskegon County -- Absent
K.P. Mahoney, Muskegon County -- Absent
Lynn Mason, Ionia County -- Absent
Edward Miller, Mason County -- Present
Mary Minnick, Lake County -- Present
Landon Myers, Eaton County-- Absent
John Pakledinaz, Clare County -- Absent
Peggy Raddatz, Mason County, -- Present
Amanda Siggins, Wexford County – Absent
Lynn Cavazos, Oceana County -- Absent
Mary Temple, Oceana County -- Absent
Mark Thomson, Mecosta County-- Absent
Karen Turnbull, Gratiot County – Present
Sally Wagoner, Newaygo County – Absent
Chadwick Walenga, Newaygo County -- Absent
Cathy Willermet, Isabella County—Absent
County Count
Barry County --0
Clare County -- 0
Eaton County (3/16) --0
Gladwin County --0
Gratiot County -- 1
Ionia County -- 0
Isabella County --0
Kent County (13/24) --0
Lake County --2
Manistee County --1
Mason County --1
Mecosta County --1
Midland County --0
Montcalm County -- 0
Muskegon County (11/18) -- 0
Newaygo County -- 1
Oceana County -- 0
Osceola County -- 0
Ottawa County (1/17) --0
Wexford County -- 0
A Quorum was deemed present.
It was moved by Ed Miller, Mason County and seconded by Michael Lynch, Gratiot County to ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no corrections to the Minutes of the Previous Meeting, the MINUTES WOULD STAND APPROVED.
Chair’s Report
Mary Minnick, Chair stated because of time constraints, her Chair’s Report which can be found on the 2nd Congressional District Website https://www.michigan2nddemocrats.com/.
Vice Chair’s Report
John Helge Vice Chair’s report could also be found on the website.
Treasurer’s Report
Dallas Dean, Treasurer Newaygo County reported the balances of the Federal, State, Administrative, and Texas Hold ‘em Accounts. The State Account had a balance of $2,642.86, the Administration Account had a balance of $227.49, the Federal Account had a balance of $8155.81 and the Texas Hold’em had a balance of $14,825.76. Dallas noted the Wheaton Township Hall contract had been signed and paid for. It was moved by Ed Miller, Mason County and seconded by Michael Lynch, Gratiot County to: ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT AND PAY ALL BILLS. MOTION CARRIED.
Secretary’s Report
Peggy Raddatz, Secretary Manistee County stated she had received no correspondence.
Committee Reports
Rules and Bylaws Committee – Dallas Dean, Newaygo County, Committee Chair stated the November Meeting of the 2nd CD would be the appropriate time to take nominations from the floor for additional members to the 2nd Congressional District Committee.
Finance and Fundraising Committee – Dallas Dean, Newaygo County, Committee Chair recommended the May 2024 Convention be immediately followed by the Ice Cream Social. Then go into the District Committee Meeting. He also recommended the District Committee vote at the November Meeting on having a Blue Wave Gala Dinner in 2024 and whether or not to continue the True Blue Award.
Candidate Recruitment and Support Committee – Ed Miller, Mason County, Committee Chair reported he is meeting locally to recruit candidates, but has nothing additional to report
Political and 2nd CD Party Organizing Committee – Karen Turnbull, Gratiot County, Committee Member spoke of drafting a letter of support to UAW leader Shawn Fain. I addition, Mary Minnick, Chair spoke about Osceola County Party building progress.
Communications Committee – Mary Minnick, Lake County, Committee Chair reported U.S. Senate Candidate, Pamela Pugh will speak at our November 11th in-person meeting at Wheatland Township Hall in Remus, MI. The guest speaker for February 10th, 2024 will be Leslie Love, Candidate for U.S. Senate. She also noted the resignation of Amanda Siggins from the 2nd District Committee. Amanda had resigned due to personal reasons.
Policy and Resolution Committee – There was no report at this time.
Audit Committee – There was no report at this time.
Unfinished Business –
Mary Minnick, Chair, Lake County stated there was no unfinished business.
New Business –
COUNTY CHAIR REPORTS
Mary Minnick, Chair Lake County reminded everyone to check out the 2nd CD website for 2nd District County Chair Reports.
PETITIONS FOR MICHAEL LYNCH
Michael Lynch has his candidate petitions to sign to get him on the ballot, if you
have not signed them yet or need a few blank petitions to have your county party's members sign them, please email or call Michael lynch at cell: 312-823-2105 email: [email protected].
GOOD AND WELFARE –
Ed Miller, Mason County, said he enjoyed the Blue Wave Gala very much. The event was well attended and the speakers were just outstanding. However, other members from Mason County who attended, expressed distress about the organization of the event, the location of the coffee, and the mocking of the elderly by the comedy duo. They also suggested a location more towards the west-end of the District.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment
It was the consensus of the group the meeting be adjourned. Mary Minnick, Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
By Peggy Raddatz
Secretary
2nd Congressional District
If you have any changes or additions, please contact me directly before the meeting to save time at the meeting, [email protected]. Thank you for your cooperation!