​Second Congressional District Meeting
 
MINUTES
Saturday, August 8, 2023                                                                            Wheatland Township Hall
10:00 a.m.                                                                                                         Remus, Michigan
 
Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Mary Minnick, Chair at 10:15 a.m. 

• Guest Speakers
• Austin Marsman, Vice Chair of the Young Democrats of Michigan Caucus introduced Elizabeth Welch, Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.  She explained how the court had many split decisions, as only the most difficult cases reach the Supreme Court.  She went on to say the Mary Bridget McCormick had played a decisive role in reimaging what a Supreme Court Justice does.  Through her efforts and many others, we have seen pre-trial incarceration reform, and expungement relief.  Justice Welch is working for towards the seamless gathering of court data as well as serving as Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the Court.  She is also working to break down barriers for people who have civil cases.
• Michael Lynch, Candidate for 2nd Congressional District.

Michael talked about how Democrats care about all people, making sure health care is available to all, and that we must do all we possibly can to make sure everyone votes.  Visit www.ElectMichaelLynch.com to make a donation.

• Mary Minnick, Chair led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• In addition, Michelle McCall, Ionia County, read the Land Acknowledgment Statement.
• Roll Call -- 
• Officers --            Mary Minnick, Chair – Present

John Helge, Vice Chair -- Present
Dallas Dean, Treasurer – Present
Peggy Raddatz, Secretary -- Present

• Roll Call (continued)
•  District Committee Members

Robin Aslakson, Mason County – Present
Julie Alexander, Mecosta County – Absent
Jennifer Austin, Midland County -- Absent
Jeffery Beegle, Muskegon County -- Absent
Christina Bush, Barry County -- Present
Jason Colella, Muskegon County -- Absent
Shawn Davis, Ottawa -- Absent
Dallas Dean, Newaygo County -- Present
Mark Everhart, Lake County -- Present
Michael Fields, Gladwin County -- Present
Christie Freestone, Gratiot County -- Present
Kim Gates, Kent County -- Absent
John Helge, Manistee County -- Present
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 -- Present
K.P. Mahoney, Muskegon County -- Present
Lynn Mason, Ionia County -- Present
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 -- Present
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—Proxy Present

• County Count

Barry County --3
Clare County -- 1
Eaton County (3/16) --0
Gladwin County --2
Gratiot County -- 4
Ionia County -- 3
Isabella County --1
Kent County (13/24) --0
Lake County --3
Manistee County --2
Mason County --2
Mecosta County --3
Midland County --0
Montcalm County -- 0
Muskegon County (11/18) -- 2
Newaygo County -- 2
Oceana County -- 2
Osceola County -- 1
Ottawa County (1/17) --0
Wexford County -- 0

• A Quorum was deemed present.
• It was moved by Michael Lynch, Gratiot County and seconded by Mark Everhart, Lake 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 however, he did want to add one thing.  He writes a column alongside his Republican counterpart for the Manistee News Advocate.  Last month John Helge, Manistee County Chair, wrote about the message of hope from progressives, and the alternative messages of fear and chaos from the Republicans.  This month he was personally attacked by being called out for slander, they questioned his military service and his support of trans people.  He stated he felt safe among this meeting’s attendees.  He thanked each and every one for being in attendance.

• 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 $876.86, the Administration Account had a balance of $306.57, the Federal Account had a balance of $3,902.61 and the Texas Hold’em had a balance of $8,583.34.  It was moved by K.P. Mahoney, Muskegon County and seconded by Ken Mahoney, Muskegon 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 reported due to scheduling conflicts, the members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee have not been able to meet.  They will have a report at the next meeting.
• Finance and Fundraising Committee – Dallas Dean, Newaygo County, Committee Chair talked about the Blue Wave Gala set for September 30th.  Tickets are at a Union printer and would be forthcoming soon.  Look for an email from our 2 CD Secretary with Blue Wave Gala information.
• Candidate Recruitment and Support Committee – Ed Miller, Mason County, Committee Chair reported this committee had met and a summary had been sent to Committee members. 
• Political and 2nd CD Party Organizing Committee – Karen Turnbull, Gratiot County, Committee Member spoke of working with Tracy Busch of Osceola County about getting a Democratic organization up and running.  She deferred to Tracy for further information about what was planned. 
• Communications Committee – Mary Minnick, Lake County, Committee Chair reported we are having an “Dutch Treat with a Twist” at the “Remus Tavern” located at 118 West Remus Ave, Remus, MI following our meeting at 12:00pm. Please bring a few dollars to participate, this should be a fun event for all!  In-addition, 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.
• 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 reported they were looking for four more emails and names of the newspapers.  If those could be forwarded, it would be appreciated. 

New Business –
NEW COUNTY PARTY
Tracy Busch, Osceola County reported on plans of an Ice Cream Social for potential new members of their party to gather and mingle on Saturday, September 16th from 1-4 at the Depot in Reed City.  They had raised $150 themselves and had garnered $500 from the Rural Caucus for mailing postcards to strong Democrats in the county.  She was asking for support from the 2nd CD for this event.  It was moved by John Helge, Manistee County and seconded by Ed Miller, Mason County, BY APPROVING $275 IN SUPPORT OF THIS EVENT.  MOTION CARRIED TO APPROVE THE MOTION.
2nd CD STAYING AT CURRENT LOCATION
       Michael Fields, Gladwin County moved and seconded by Stan Opal, Newaygo County TO   
       KEEP THE 2ND CD MEETINGS AT THE CENTRALIZED LOCATION OF THE WHEATLAND
       TOWNSHIP HALL.  MOTION CARRIED.
GOOD AND WELFARE –

• Austin Marsman announced a Climate Rally for our Future will take place September 26 throughout the day on the Capitol grounds.
• Betsy Moskowitz, Mecosta County informed us all of the impending emancipation of 13 dams by Consumers Energy.  Public hearings are scheduled for each.
• Mary Minnick, Chair Lake County has reached out to all 6 County Party Chairs who have Counties that are in more than one Congressional District. State Law requires that the two (or more) Congressional Districts are responsible for the nomination of County Election Canvassers. In the past, this has been the responsibility of the individual County Chair. Because of redistricting, this is no longer the case in these six counties.
• Mary Minnick, Chair Lake County reminded everyone to check out the 2nd CD website for 2nd District County Reports.
• Adjournment

It was the consensus of the group the meeting be adjourned.  Mary Minnick, Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 12:12 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!